IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3} 


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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


j^4i^ 


£ 


i/.x 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHJVi/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  institute  for  Histories!  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductlons  historiques 


:<> 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notas/Notas  tachniquas  at  bibliographiquas 


Tha  Instituta  hat  attamptad  to  obtain  tha  bast 
original  copy  availabia  for  filming.  Faaturaa  of  this 
copy  which  may  ba  bibliographically  uniqua, 
which  may  altar  any  uf  tha  imagaa  in  tha 
raproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  changa 
tha  usual  mathod  of  filming,  ara  chackad  baiow. 


D 


Colourad  covars/ 
Couvartura  da  coulaur 


I     I    Covars  damaged/ 


Couvartura  andommagia 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurie  at/ou  palliculAa 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titra  da  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maos/ 

Cartas  gAographiquas  w\  couleur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleua  ou  noire) 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  «n  coulaur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
RaliA  avac  d'autres  documents 


D 


D 


D 


Tight  i9inding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  iiure  serrie  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distorsion  la  long  de  la  marga  int*rieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certainas  pagea  bianchas  ajoutiaa 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte. 
mais,  lorsqua  cela  itait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  «t«  filmAas. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppiimentaires: 


L'Instltut  a  microfilm*  le  meilleur  exempiaire 
qu'il  lui  a  «t«  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  ditaiis 
de  cet  exempiaire  qui  sont  peut-Atre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique.  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite.  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  ia  mithode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqute  ci-dessous. 


D 
D 

D 
B 
D 
Q 
D 
D 
D 
D 


Coloured  pages/ 
Pagea  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagtea 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaur«es  et/ou  pellicui«es 

Pagas  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  dAcolories,  tacheties  ou  piquAes 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ditachias 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Quality  inigale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  material  suppi^mantaira 

Only  edition  available/ 
Saule  Mition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuiilet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc..  ont  6ti  filmtes  A  nouveau  de  fapon  A 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film*  au  taux  de  reduction  indiquA  ci-dessous. 


Tha 
toti 


The 
pom 
ofti 
film 


Orifl 

bagi 

the 

sion 

othc 

first 

sion 

or  ill 


The 
shal 
TINI 
whii 

Map 
diffe 
antli 
begi 
right 
requ 
met! 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

?.SX 

SOX 

y 

12X 

16X 

20X 

24X 

28X 

32X 

! 

Th«  copy  filmad  h«r«  ha*  bMn  r«produc«d  thanks 
to  tha  gonaroaity  of: 

Douglas  Library 
Quaan'a  Univarsity 

Tha  Imagat  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  baat  quality 
poaaibia  conaldaring  tha  condition  and  lagibillty 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  Icaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  spacificationa. 


Original  copiaa  in  printad  papar  covara  ara  filmad 
baginning  with  tha  front  covar  and  anding  on 
tha  laat  paga  with  a  printad  or  iiiuatratad  impraa- 
sion,  or  tha  back  covar  whan  appropriata.  All 
othar  original  copiaa  ara  filmad  baginning  on  tha 
first  paga  with  a  printad  or  iiiuatratad  impraa- 
sion,  and  anding  on  tha  last  paga  with  a  printad 
or  iiiuatratad  impraasion. 


Tha  last  racordad  frama  on  aach  microficha 
shall  contain  tha  symbol  -^>  (moaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  tha  symbol  V  (moaning  "END"), 
whichavar  applias. 

IMaps,  platas,  charts,  ate,  may  ba  filmad  at 
diffarant  reduction  ratios.  Thosa  too  larga  to  ba 
antiraly  includad  in  ona  axpc^ura  ara  filmad 
beginning  !n  tha  uppar  laft  hand  cornar,  laft  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  framaa  aa 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  tha 
method: 


L'exemplaira  film*  fut  raproduit  grAca  i  la 
gAnAroait*  da: 

Douglas  Library 
Queen's  University 

Las  imagaa  euh/antaa  ont  it*  raproduites  avac  la 
plua  grand  aoin,  compta  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
do  la  nattat*  de  I'exemplaira  film*,  et  en 
conformit*  myr.  lee  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmaga. 

Lea  axempialres  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  eat  imprimia  sont  film*s  en  commenpant 
par  la  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
darniire  paga  qui  comporta  una  empreinte 
d'impreeeion  ou  d'illMstration,  soit  par  la  second 
plat,  salon  la  cas.  Toua  las  autrea  axempialres 
originaux  aont  fllm*s  an  commen9ant  par  la 
pramlAre  paga  qui  comporte  una  empreinte 
d'Impreaslon  ou  d'illustratlon  et  en  terminant  par 
la  darni*re  paga  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaftra  sur  la 
darni*re  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
caa:  la  symbols  -^>  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  ▼  eignifie  "FIN". 

Lee  cartas,  planches,  tableeux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
film*e  *  dee  taux  da  rAduction  diff Arents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichA,  11  est  filmA  A  partir 
da  Tangle  eupArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  an  baa,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nAcessaira.  Las  diagram  mae  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthode. 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

„    **rif 


FRASCATl'8. 


VOL.  I. 


yrihUAM  BROWN,  PRIMTSR. 


FRASCATrs, 

J2  ^^^-  / 


om 


SCENES  IN  PARIS. 

L  W  Oa^^^tu^  S^\c}t.^JL^_^^  o^b-]§sr] 


*  I  have  had  mj  labour  for  my  trarel" 

TtLOlUn  ANO  CMMMOA. 


IN  TWO  VOLUMES. 
VOL.  L       /    f 


PHILADELPHIA: 
E-  L.  CAREY  &  A.  HART--CHESNUT  STREBT. 


II II I  <" 


1^36, 


L.H.-.  1^0^6455,127  Fy 


\ 


•gay 
and 
liev( 
amu 
furn 
and 
T 
ofcl 
the  I 
of  n 


FRASCATI'S; 


OR 


SCENES  IN  PARIS. 


CHAPTER  I.  - 

**  What  is  life  to  a  man  unless  he  travels  ?— Paris    thi^ 
gayest,  the  pol  test,  the  most  dissipated,  the  most  fascSatiit 
and  the  most  delightful  city  in  the  uniierse^iT  ve  ar^  to  be'- 
heve  the  accounts  of  travellers  and  natives    offer  111  h« 

iHrnish  me  with  abundant  matter  both  for  orivate  soeculatTftn 

of  H«r!t   .  /*  ""^^^  soliloquy,  pronounced  over  my  bottle 
tt  morn!i  J^r^  ''  was  the  fruit  of  a  letter  I  had  r^eTveS  n 

If  Ze  ^fr  r  '°n»P.'?^  ^°^^"*^*^  fr»«"d  andcountrymaS 
Of  mine,  Sir  Brien  O'Flaherty,  of  OTlaherty  HaU,  in  the 

A  2 


"^0^445^ 


^  FRASCATl's;   OB 

countv  Of  Connaught.  Afflicted  with  the  mania  of  conti- 
nental travelling,  which  like  an  epidemic,  had  seIzS  every 
individual  whose  purse  was  long  enough  to  bear  h'm  to  tK^ 
th«lf '.  1  '^'  channel  the  worthy  blronet  had  y^lded  J^ 
^e  sohcitations  of  a  maiden  sister,  now  somewhat  past  the 
grand  climactenc,  and  resolved  on  a  journey  to  the  French 
capital.     Cheered  by  the  anticipatioli  of  pleasure,  amuse- 

E  JtiXJ;:^^''?'  T^^'^  '^'  «^"^^"«  ima.inaUon  of 
Miss  O  ^laherty  profusely  and  eagerly  displayed,  her  brother 
had  borne  the  separation  from  hil  Plates  and  icrTs  tolera' 
bly  well,  until  their  arrival  in  London.     Here,  howevetws 
natural  impatience  was  called  into  life  and  activity  by  the 
M.rO'FUhpTr!i  *^  highly  expensive  hotel.  It  4ich 
Tf?    %  ^!r^  ^'^^  pronounced  it  to  be  indispensable  to 
their  dignity  that  they  should  take  up  their  temporary  abode 
j-by  he  importun  ties  of  a  host  of  young  and  need^  K 
men,  (who  beset  his  apartments  and  borrowed  his  money?) 
SL*'  P^?'*"^  ^^l^iions  of  his  sister  with  one  and  all  of 
these— and.  more  than  all.  by  the  assiduous  attentions  of  the 
whole  to  a  lovely  and  amiable  girl,  his  niece,  by  whom  he 

mir'^^Pn-'^-  K^"i"!?^  ^""^^»'  therefor^,  wrtSe 
utmost  expedition,  he  had  continued  his  route  to  Dover, 
muttering,  grumbling,  cursing,  and  half-repenting  his  deter' 

ZTSV''^'''''fj'l^^  approached  nearer  to  the  point  of 
embarkation,  and  fully  resolved  to  return  as  he  gazed  on  the 
water  which  was  soon  to  divide  him  for  the  first  time  from 
those  who  spoke  the  same  tongue,  drank  the  same  wines, 
paid  the  same  taxes,  and  voted  at  the  same  elections.    In 

hv  M-«  n?^',  r^^'"'  l^^'  ^"^  reproaches  were  employed 
by  Miss  OTlaherty,  who  commanded  her  niece  to  join  in 
•upphcauon  with  her.  Too  timid  to  disobey  the  injunction 
ot  her  despotic  aunt,  loo  affectionate  to  thwart  the  inclina- 

Pmfi  *  f  .."^"Y?*  ^^^  ^^'^'^'  ^^  ^^^  ^»"^  ""cle,  the  trembling 
t-naily  faltered  forth  an  appeal,  which  had  more  effect  on  the 
testy  Baronet  than  all  the  solicitations  and  reproaches  of  his 
BWter.  Folding  her  somewhat  rudely  to  his  bosom,  he  ex- 
eiaimed,  m  answer  to  her  timidly  preferred  entreaty  that 


-<f.'^W-- 


^       THE   ■NOLISH   IN   rAM(.  ly 

.h,'»  M *"•  "^1?™.'  '  "'"  ""'  diaappoint yott,  provided  only 
that  Moms  will  join  ua.  I  cannot  get  on  I  find  without  { 
n-de  conip.„,on ,  and  how  .hall  I  manage  in  F«„ce  when 

aa  y»»  Ple^e  but  I  know  that  you  a«  as  ignorant  of  French 
write  Sm«^  ""IJ.'  ""^  '""«  ^""y-  I  *"!  immediately 

Tve  his  "Tw':;."'^"-'"""'"'  '^^  "•'^'  <"*"  -« h™  <»- 

This,  then,  my  good  reader,  was  the  subject  of  a  lettor 

wSafa  ?u'„d  of"!  *"'"""«  T"'?"""-     AlasVbu.  f^r  h  rf 
nt     i""°,<'f/'nu8ement  and  information  would  vou  not  ^ 

tion,  his  wit,  his  knowledge,  and  his  acumen,  would  h™. 
continued  buried  under  a  bushel,  and  the  wTr"d  would  nev« 

The  very  next  morning  I  was  safely  packed  with  thr«« 
mher  masses  of  moving  matter  on  the  o';,tLe  of  The  DoJeJ 

i  mo"i7?'!i.^'^  ^""^  *^®  ^'•^n«h  metropolis,  I  presume  "  r« 
r^yked  the  nearest  of  these  to  me.    ^'V^'  ^  P^®»"™e»     'e- 
"Yes,"  was  my  laconic  reply. 

Uv  .  h  Z^l^lJ    i  P"''*".'     ™'^'  »«  'he  Parisians  truly 

w(ft  iM;.^^;/--^  sS.^' "-'  ^- "-  >-» 

And  how,  pray  ?" 

U»  English"  S,:t''pr,^i  "J  ""  »•»»*  to  esuib- 
"mnsement^nS  Z:^JL^r^l:  .^^'^  »  "»'«'.  both  of 


s 


rRASCATIS;    OR 


gaged  for  the  purpose,  and  Abbott  and  Smithson  among  the 
rest.  Considering  our  unrivalled  dramatic  excellence,  there- 
fore, it  cannot  be  difficult  to  divine  what  will  be  the  result. 
The  French,  sir,  let  me  assure  you,  are  deficient  in  that  gra- 
vity of  emphasis  and  significance  qf  gesture  which  are  so  re- 
quisite for  the  development  of  tragic  rage  and  tragic  pathos, 
in  which  ^e  so  eminently  excel.  There  is  a  lightness  of 
manner,  an  absence  of  character  about  them,  that  precludes 
success  in  the  sublimer  departments  of  the  drama,  while  at 
the  same  time  they  laok  that  continuity  of  feeling  necessary 
to  maintain  intense  sensation  for  any  length  of  time.*' 

**  I  fear,*'  said  I,  secretly  amused  at  this  professional  burst 
of  self  gratulation,  (for  it  was  evident  from  the  tone,  manner, 
and  appearance  of  my  companion,  that  he  was  a  member  of 
the  histrionic  profession,)  *'  I  fear  that  the  incapabilities  you 
discover  in  French  actors,  may  extend  equally  to  French 
audiences,  and  should  this  want  of  *  continuity  of  feeling  ne- 
cessary to  maintain  intense  sensation,'  be  national,  your  tra- 
gic efforts  will  be  thrown  completely  away  ;  and  your  lauda- 
ble desire  to  improve  the  French  stage,  remain  both  unap- 
plauded  and  unrewarded." 

**  Not  at  all^  my  dear  sir;  unrewarded  they  may  be,  but 
unapplauded,  never  !  That  is  quite  impossible ;  for  though 
the  French  may  be  incapable  of  thoroughly  ^cc/tW  our  ex- 
cellence, still  they  must  appreciate  and  admire  it.  However, 
be  that  as  it  may,  whenever  we  may  choose  to  descend  to 
genteel  comedy,  and  become  elegantly  playful,  support  the 
character  of  the  complete  gentleman  with  easy  and  becoming 
freedom,  keep  up  the  proper  dignity  of  the  country,  you 
know,  and  all  that  sort  of  thing ;  when,  moreover,  to  these 
advantages  we  add  that  of  a  fine  person,  and  a  decent  leg  in 
particular,  (not  that  I  am  by  any  means  vain  of  mine,  or  rest 
my  claims  to  distinction  solely  on  my  physical  merits,)  and 
possess  a  variety  of  happy  combinations  in  our  favour,  I 
maintain  that  it  iH  almost  an  impossibility  to  fail  in  command- 
ing applause." 

**And  pray,  sir,"  I  demanded,  with  much  apparent  aeri' 


THE    ENGLISH    IN    FARM. 


ouaness  and  anxiety  of  manner,  "  are  all  your  performers  of 
an  equally  select  descripiloii  ?  This  is  a  point  I  should  con- 
ceive of  vital  importance  to  your  success,  for  if  you  would 

seek  to  impress  the  French  nation  with " 

"  Nay,  nay,"   he   implied,   smiling  complacently,   and 
glancing  his  eye  along  his  leg  for  an  instant,  "  be  under  no 
apprehension  of  a  failure.     That  you  are  actuated  I  v  a  lauda- 
ble and  patriotic  anxiety,  I  can  easily  believe,  and  certainly 
It  cannot  be  denied  that  much  national  reputation  is  at  stake. 
However,  there  is  nothing,  my  dear  sir,  to  fear.     We  are 
unquestionably   a  very   select  portion   of  the  profession. 
1  here  are  going— let  me  see—in  the  first  place  there  is  your 
humble  servant— I  am  going;  then  there  is  Abbott  and  Miss 
Smithson,  as  I  told  you  before  ;  and  in  short,  several  others 
ot  considerable  theatrical  renown.     But  even  two  or  three, 
or  I  may  say  one  good  actor,  is  quite  enough  for  our  pur* 
pose* 

"  Quite  enough,"  I  replied ;  "  stars  are  never  noticed  when 
comets  take  the  field." 

"One  great  actor,"  resumed  my  companion,  bowing  mo» 
ceatly  io  the  compliment  which  he  very  properly  assumed 
to  himself,  "  will  make  the  most  indifferent  company  pass 
current  with  the  public ;  for  so  delighted  are  the  audience 
with  his  appearance,  so  dazzled  by  the  blaze  and  vigour  of 
ms  ta  ent,  that  they  never  stoop  to  inquire  into  the  merits  of 
nis  lellows.  Nay,  they  are  scarcely  aware  of  their  presence ; 
lor  when  the  actor  quits  the  scene,  he  leaves  them  so  fully 
impressed  with  the  beauty  of  his  performance,  that  the  seve. 
ral  points  he  has  made,  and  the  new,  and  hitherto  undisco, 
jered  readings  he  has  developed,  afford  them  deep  and  suffi. 

f^ii'   ff  ^'''.'^^^''/°"  ^''^  admiration,  until  he  appear, 
a^m.     This,  sir,  is  the  true  beauty  of  a  star;  or,  as  y^ 
more  properly  and  flatteringly  express  it,  a  comet." 
1  smiled,  and  shook  my  head. 

|ny"ap?nio^^»™*"  ^*  pursued,  "  not  to  subscribe  altogether  to 
"Wost  certainly  not,"  I  replied,     «  Now,  for  'mUmc9. 


10 


FRASCATI*8;   OR 


IP  tfie  Moor  of  Venice,  three  great  performers  are  indispen- 
aable  to  produce  a  great  effect.  Were  I  to  see  your  perform- 
ance, or  that  of  some  other  equally  transcendant  genius, 
marred,  in  the  character  of  Othello,  by  an  indifferent  Desde- 
mona,  or  some  long-faced  mouthing  fellow  of  an  lago,  it 
would  drive  me  mad.  Why  sir,  I  would  as  soon  listen  to 
the  most  souKstirring  composition  of  Eandel,  played  by  the 
most  exquisite  performer  on  the  most  exquisite  cremona,  ac- 
companied by  a  barrel  organ  and  a  Scotch  bagpipe." 

This  difference  of  opinion  was  evidently  any  thing  but 
displeasing  to  my  companion  of  the  buskin.  "  I  clearly  per- 
ceive,'' he  said,  "  that  you  are  a  gentleman  of  much  taste 
and  discrimination ;  the  observation  you  have  just  made,  is 
evidence  of  the  fact ;  but  my  remark,  you  must  understand, 
applies  only  to  audiences  in  general ;  for  it  is  undeniable  that 
managers  expect  too  much  from  us.  They  seem  to  think 
that  a  single  actor  of  our  class  (of  course  you  have  seen  me 
on  the  boards)  ought  to  compensate  for  the  deficiencies  of  the 
rest.  Yet  this,  however,  I  will  admit,  that  great  allowance 
must  be  made  for  managers,  seeing  how  scarce  we  are.  To 
concentrate  three  or  four  first  rate  performers  in  a  single 
company,  is  no  easy  tafk,  you  may  be  assured.  Exceed- 
ingly difficult,  sir,  indeed.  Moreover,  our  remuneration  is 
far  from  being  adequate  to  the  services  we  are  called  on  al- 
most exclusively  to  perform.  The  priest,  for  instance,  ob- 
tains twenty  pounds  for  his  appeal  to  the  benevolence  of  his 
congregation,  for  some  charitable  institution.  The  lawyer 
and  the  physician  are  rewarded  liberally.  The  beggarly 
author  of  a  tragedy  or  a  comedy  has  his  share  of  a  benefit, 
whereas  an  actor  of  merit  and  talent,  who  amuses  an  entire 
theatre  for  several  consecutive  hours,  seldom  receives  more 
than  fifty  pounds  a  night." 

"  What  a  shame  !"  exclaimed  an  elderly  gentleman  who 
sat  next  him,  "  what  a  reflection  on  our  taste !  What  a  sa- 
tire on  the  age,  that  so  promising  an  actor  should  not  be  al- 
lowed more  than  (thy  pounds  a  night !"  The  exclamation 
was  accompanied  by  a  smile  of  bitter  irony  that  nettled  the 


THE   ENGLISH   IN   PARIS. 


11 


ives  more 


.  sonof  Thespis  not  a  litUe,  nor  could  he  refrain  from  betray- 
•  mg  It  in  his  reply.  "^ 

"Irish,  I  presume,"  he  remarked,  with  an  awkward  af- 
fectation of  contempt;  "yet  that  circumstance  i«  not  much, 
after  all,  to  your  discredit.  There  are  some  very  clever 
fellows  among  you— jovial,  joyous,  merry  souls,  who  love 
lun  and  the  bottle,  and  are  not  altogether  wanting  in  dra- 
matic discernment.  Indeed^  I  was  surprised  at  the  discrimi- 
nation of  the  Irish,  for  my  first  appearance  in  Dublin  was 
nailed  with  deafening  applause." 
»  " ''J*' ^^  no  proof,"  answered  the  ironical  gentleman, 

of  the  dramatic  discernment  of  the  Irish— it  was  one  ra- 
ther of  their  charity,  for  generally  they  are  considerate 
enough  to  allow  most  where  most       wanting.    Perhaps 

7*v  "'^'^V'  *"^  cheered  you  for  your  good  intentionsf" 
I  our  chanty  and  good  nature  are  proverbial,"  anffrily 
and  contemptuously  retorted  the  other;  "potatoes  and  po- 
teen are  occasionaUy  at  the  service  of  the  stranger;  but  you 
make  a  parade  of  generosity  with  what  you  know  will  not 
be  accepted." 

"I  presume,"  rejoined  the  ironical  gentleman,  "  you  in- 

vou^o^Vff^^'\^^''^^f  ^^*-  *^'  country-but  were 
you  inclined  to  rise  beyond  a  sarcasm  at  its  poverty,  you 

F^&-^^^  ^^'^^  *¥  *®  '"^^  ^^^  '""^h  resemble  the 
ZZt  '"  f  ""^'^  ""^  ;  continuity  of  feeling  necessary  to 
m«ntam  mtense  sensation,'  since  the  slightest  encomium  on 
your  transcendant  talent  has  never  yet,  I  apprehend  es^ 
WUiem.  Donot,  however,  im4ine  th^T^^f 
them  as  my  countrymen-such  they  are  not— and  so  far 
ymni^ebeen  wi^ng  in  determini^  the  plLe^,^^ 

m,ini^^^TS^'"  ^^"^'^^^  *«  ^ctor,  tummg  to  me  with 

I  Zl-n    f  ^^^u"^  dexteniy,  and  affecting  not  to  h!ve  paidTny 

vis  *°  *^.'«">^'k  of  the  ironical  gentleman,!"  I  Si! 

variably  make  it  a  point  to  travel  outsidl,  for  I  am  a  war^ 

'  ^  ®"*"«««*»c  admirer  of  rural  scenery."  * 

And  yet,  this  morning,"  I  replied,  wrapping  my  cloak 


a 


FRASCATl's;   or' 


ttiore  closely  around  me,  for  it  was  rainy  and  cold,  "  must 
be  somewhat  unfavourable  to  your  taste.  For  my  part,  I 
would  gladly  have  secured  an  inside  seat  had  it  been  possi- 
ble, but  they  were  all  taken.^' 

This  was  a  better  screen  for  his  economy,  and  he  oro- 
fited  by  the  hint.  '  ^ 

"You  are  right,"  he  observed,  "  they  were  all  engaged, 
or  I  too  should  have  had  an  inside  place.  I  invariably 
make  it  a  point  when  travelling  to  secure  an  inside  seat 
merely  with  a  view  of  providing  against  casualties  in  weather. 
J  his  morning  is  certainly  much  more  severe  than  I  had 
anticipated ;  however,  do  not  be  uneasy  on  my  account.  I 
will  just  take  the  liberty  of  throwing  the  end  of  your  cloak 
over  my  legs  in  order  to  keep  the  rain  off.— Pray  give 
yourself  no  trouble  about  me." 

While  accommodating  himself  in  this  manner,  he  looked 
in  another  direction,  and  having  finally  settled  himself  at 
my  expense,  appeared  to  be  wholly  unconcerned  at  the 
drenching  to  which  I  was  exposed. 

An  important  personage  got  up  at  Canterbury.  This  in- 
dividual was  profusely  ringed,  smelt  like  a  civet  cat,  was 
laden  with  enormous  seals,  and  sported  a  magnificent  snuff- 
box. Nor  was  it  long  before  we  were  severally  greeted 
with  a  pinch  out  of  the  splendid  bijou.  This,  of  course, 
afforded  the  owner  an  opportunity  of  descanting  on  its  in- 
estimable valuCj  and  satisfying  us  that  it  was  the  gift  of  a 
person  of  quality,  his  most  intimate  friend. 

The  proprietor  of  the  snuff-box  was  an  Irish  dancing 
master,  who,  having  contrived  to  Frenchify  a  most  beauti- 
ful indigenous  Munster  name,  had  disclahned  poor  Erin 
altogether,  and  transferred  the  honour  of  having  given  birth 
to  him  to  the  land  of  dance.  I  had  had  some  little  profes- 
sional acquaintance  with  Mr.  Boughy,  now  Monsieur 
Bougie,  and  at  our  meeting  here  he  favoured  me  with  a  boTr 
that  would  have  done  honour  to  the  court  of  Louis  the 
Fourteenth. 

"  Do  you  intend  visiting  my  country?"  he  inquired. 


THE   E.4i;LlSH  IN   PARIS. 


13 


"  I  do,"  was  my  reply. 
"  It  is  certainly  the  garden  of  the  world,"  he  pursued, 
with  as  much  warmth  and  eagerness  as  if  he  had  actually 
been  a  native. — "  I  am  all  impatience  to  reach  it.     Ah  I 
how  powerfully  implanted  in  us  is  that  longing  to  revisit 
the  land  of  our  forefathers  and  the  scenes  of  our  birth !  Yet, 
to  indulge  these  feelings  is  not  the  sole  object  of  my  return! 
No,  to  these  I  unite  high  professional  motives.     I  have 
I  been  absolutely  bored  out  of  my  life  to  visit  Paris  by  Lady 
Caper,  my  Lord  Twirl,  and  numerous  other  persons  of  dis- 
[  tmction,  my  most  intimate  friends.     They  are  enraptured 
^  with  the  baUets,  delighted  with  the  quadrilles  just  come 
jout;  and,  satisfied  that  no  one  but  myself  could  import 
these  dances  in  all  their  original  beauty,  they  insisted  on 
I  my  going  over.*' 

!  "  Nor  did  they  flatter  you,"  I  remarked,  "  for  I,  who 
[have  some  pretensions  to  taste  in  that  most  delightful  of  all 
laccomphshments,  am  perfectly  of  the  same  opinion." 

"  Your  taste,"  exclaimed  Bougie  eagerly,  "  is  universally 
admitted,  and  I  myself  have  heard  you  expatiate  on  the  im- 
portant science  of  dancing  more  judiciously  and  profoundly 
than  any  other  man  I  ever  met  with— «o  much  so  indeed, 
pat  I  thought  you  had  been  brought  up  to  the  profession." 
'    "Grace,     I  remarked,  bowing  in  return  to  his  comoli- 
lent,  "IS  your  chief  aim."  ^ 

"Precisely  so,  and  wherever  I  find  a  pliancy  of  limb  I 
pdeavour  to  engraft  on  it  an  imposing  carriage.     To  be 
i  graceful  dancer,  bless  me !  what  an  attainment !     The 
Capability,  sir,  must  be  in  a  great  degree  inherent ;  not  that 
I  can  be  denied  that  a  great  deal  depends  on  the  master 
Rrace,  grace  is  every  tiling.     What  an  idea  the  ancient 
Ipets  had  of  this  attribute !    In  their  descriptions  of  female 
livmity  they  never  fail  to  mention  it.     Then  your  countrv- 
lan,  Moore,  has  J  graceful  smoke,'*  Might  step,'  and 
heaven  ypt.'    Milton  too  says,  if  you  re^Uect,  « grace 
ras  m  all  her  steps.'  *l  ^ 

*  "  1  knew  by  the  smoke  that  w  fracefonr  njrled  •» 
VOL.  I. — ^B  &  ,  - 


w 


FRASCATIS;   OR 


•*  What  a  learned  dancing  mrter  we  have  picked  up/* 
remarked  the  ironical  gentleman,  half  addressing  himself  to 
the  actor. 

The  actor  .very  graciously  smiled  an  assent,  for  he  v«ras 
not  sorry  to  be  on  good  terms  with  one  whose  sarcasm  was 
go  biting.  "  Very  learned  indeed,"  he  replied,  simpering 
and  chuckling,  **  a  perfect  rara  avis — rhe  seems  to  have  cul- 
tivated his  head  as  well  as  his  heels." 

"  Pray  sir,"  continued  the  ironical  gentleman,  addressing 
Monsieur  Bougie^  *'  may  I  be  permitted  to  ask  your  opinion 
on  a  subject  of  considerable  dispute  among  the  members  of 
your  profession  ?  Your  decision  will  at  once  set  the  ques- 
tion at  rest  with  me.  What  is  your  idea  of  the  Tabula 
Cebetis,  generally  printed  with  the  works  of  Epictetus? 
Do  you  consider  it  a  standard  work  on  the  science  of 
dancing  ?" 

The  abruptness  of  this  interrogatory  seemed  to  occasion 
Monsieur  Bougie  vo  little  embarrassment.  He  certainly 
had  no  recollection  of  any  such  author  as  Cebes,  yet,  as  he 
oould  not  well  acknowledge  his  ignorance  of  a  work  writ^ 
ten,  as  he  was  given  to  understand,  on  the  art  he  professed, 
he  was  about  to  reply  in  its  favour,  when  the  other  pur" 
sued, — 

"  You,  of  course,  sir,  are  fully  aware  that  the  Chevalier 
Cebes  was  master  of  ceremonies  to  the  balls  given  at  the 
court  of  Louis  the  Fourteenth.  The  world  never  witnessed 
his  equal. in  a  minuet  de  la  cour.  His  chief  excellence,  in- 
deed, consisted  in  his  grave  style  of  dancing.  Dignified 
grace  was  his  forte — in  that  he  was  inimitable ;  and  it  was 
at  the  earnest  solicitation  of  Madame  Theophrastus,  the 
king's  favourite,  that  he  wrote  the  work  I  now  mention." 

**  i  am  perfectly  aware  of  all  you  have  stated,"  returned 

Bougie,  with  a  smile  of  ineffable  confidence.     **  The  Che-^ 

valier  Cebes  stood  unrivalled  in  the  sentimental  dance..    I 

have  read  his  work  a  dozen  times,  and  approve  of  it  highly.'* 

'*  French,  are  you  not  ?"  inqtiired  the  old  gentleman. 

"Oh,  certainly,— Parisian." 


THS  ENGLISH  IN  PARIS. 


16 


»•  So  I  had  imagined;  indeed,  I  was  induced  to  name  the 
Chevalier  Cebes,  in  consequence  of  the  very  striking  resem- 
blance you  bear  to  a  portrait  I  have  lately  seen  of  that  cele- 
brated individual.  It  is  the  legitimate  French  ctyle  of  coun- 
tenance.    Perhaps  you  are  a  descendant  of  his  ?" 

*♦  Why,  I  cannot  exactly  say  so,"  replied  Bougie,  hesi- 
tatingly, and  with  the  air  of  one  by  no  means  willing  to  dis- 
claim so  honourable  an  affinity.  It  was  evident  that  he 
wished  us  to  suppose  that  such  a  relationship  actually  existed, 
for  he  dexterously,  as  he  imagined,  turned  the  conversation 
by  abruptly  inquiring  of  the  coachman  if  we  were  not  vet 
in  Dover.  ^ 

I  had  been  not  a  little  amused  at  the  gravity  with  which 
the  ironical  gentleman  had  entertained  us  all  at  Bougie's  ex- 
pense. Equally  vain  and  ignorant,  the  descendant  of  Cebes 
had  "taken  it  all  for  gospel,"  and  seemed  peculiarly  grate- 
ful at  the  compliment  paid  to  his  French  style  of  countenance. 
After  a  pause  of  a  minute,  he  turned  to  me  as  genuine  an 
Irish  physiognomy  as  Irishman  ever  exhibited,  and  observed^ 

"  Did  you  perceive  how  soon  that  gentleman  discovered 
me  to  be  French  ?  I  believe  I  could  never  pass  for  a  Bri- 
tish subject  ;■— these  Gallic  looks  of  mine  are  always  certain 
to  betray  me."  He  was  interrupted  by  the  coach  drawinir 
up  m  front  of  the  York  hotel.  ^ 

"  A  very  excellent  hotel,  this,"  remarked  the  ironical  iren- 
tleman  to  the  actor.  "  It  has  been  honoured  with  the  pre- 
sence of  several  crowned  heads.—by  the  Emperors  of  Rus- 
sia and  Austria,  and  by  the  King  of  Prussia.  You,  doubt- 
less,  will  add  another  great  name  to  the  catalogue  of  its 
patrons."  e      «»  **«» 

The  actor  appeared  to  think  from  these  expensive  symn, 
tomsof  the  establishment,  that  it  would  not  altogether  suit 
his  principles  of  travelling.  ^ 

^      "An  excellent  house,  truly ;  he  rejoined.     "  I  have  often 
!  stopped  at  rt.    The  wines  are  capital.     I  never  tasted  better 
Champagne  or  Burgundy  in  my  life.     I  should  have  been 
delighted  to  try  them  again,  but  most  unfortunately  I  am 
en|ja|red  to  meet  a  friend  ^t  a  dis^aijt  hotel," 


16 


FRASCATIS;   OR 


"Very  unfortunately,  indeed!"  exclaimed  the  ironical 
gentleman,  *'for  this  is  the  only  house  fit  for  a  man  who 
receives  fifty  pounds  a-night  for  his  performance." 

**  Waiter !"  cried  Bougie,  from  the  box-seat,  to  an  obse- 
quious looking  servant,  who  appeared  in  the  door-way  pre- 
paring to  receive  his  visitors,  "  Waiter,  I  say,  why  the  devil 
do  you  not  answer  a  gentleman  ?" 

'*  Here,  here,  sir ;  I  beg  your  pardon,  sir,  I  did  not  hear, 


sir. 


**  What  fashionable  arrivals  have  you  here  ?"  pursued 
Bougie,  throwing  himself  into  an  attitude  of  importance. 
"Have  you  the  Marchioness  of  Riverford, — Lady  Clan- 
richards, — General  Knocker, — Sir  Christopher  Rosemary, 
or  any  other  friends  of  mine  ?'* 

"  No  sir,  not  here." 

"  Not  here,  did  you  say  ?  Now,  that  is  very  i^trange,  for 
they  all  promised  to  meet  me  here.   Has  his  grace  the  Duke 

of  Trefoil  arrived,  or  the  Marquess  of  Sly,  or  Lady " 

Here  he  went  through  nearly  the  whole  of  the  Irish  peer- 
age, repeating  titles  as  flippantly,  and  with  as  much  affecta- 
tion of  intimacy,  as  a  Methodist  would  pretend  to  have  with 
the  cardinal  virtues.  "  Are  none  of  my  friends  here  then  ?" 
he  concluded. 

"  Not  that  I  know  of,  sir.," 

"  What  is  the  name  of  this  hotel  of  yours  ?" 

"  The  York,  sir." 

"  The  York  did  you  say  ?  Oh,  this  is  not  the  place. 
They  mentioned  another  hotel.  I  shall  not  stop  here  waiter." 
Bougie  now  alighted^  and,  after  a  whispering  parley  between 
the  actor  and  himself,  they  moved  off  together. 


THE  ENGLISH  IN  PARIS. 


17 


CHAPTER  II. 


"  So  here  you  are  at  length !"  exclaimed  an  elderly  gen- 
Ueman,  rising  to  receive  me  as  I  entered  the  coffee  room  of 
the  York.  «'  This,  indeed,  is  kind  of  you,  Morris."  It  wis 
Sir  Brien  OTlaherty. 

"My  dear  friend!"   I  exclaimed,  returning  his  cordial 
pressure  of  the  hand,  "I  am  overjoyed  to  see  you.     It  is 
'long,  mdeed,  since  we  have  met,  but  this  moment  repays 
rae  for  years  of  absence,  and  a  long  interruption  of  our  per- 
sonal mtercourse." 

**  I  am  perfectly  aware  of  it  Morris,  and  can  only  assure 
^  you,  that  to  see  you  once  more,  amply  repays  me  for  all  the 
annoyances  I  have  experienced  throughout  this  cursed  jour- 
iney,  winch  has  been  undertaken  altogether  against  my  inclina- 
Ition.  Jiut,  Harriet,— you  know  my  sister  Harriet,— calls  it 
ttravemng  for  pleasure.  I,  however,  have  another  name  for 
lit.     1  he  old  lady  insisted  on  visiting  France  because  every  . 

«  «n   "^A  uf '  ,^u '"§  *^^  ^™^  *^^"g  5  and  I,  of  course,  like 

la  silly  old  blockhead,  must  needs  enter  into  her  schemes,  and 

come  as  her  protector,  as  if  any  one  would  be  simple  enough 

1  iT  M  ^"**  ^^''  ^^'  ^^^*»  ^*»at  regret  did  I  leave  my 
aid  family  mansion  in  Connaught !  I  have  had  an  attjick  of 
Ihe  spleen  ever  since,  and  should  certainly  have  returned 

\^^fi  i  T"  5^*  ^i"^*^  "'*«°«^  to  °»y  prayer,  this  is 
111  f^  *'^«eYnendship,  Morris,"  he  concluded,  pressing 
my  hand  once  more  with  a  force  that  nearly  drew  ah  excla^ 

b2 


18 


FRASCATrs;   OR 


*«. 


mation  oif  pain  from  me,  "  You  have  made  up  your  mind 
then  to  accompany  us  to  Paris  V* 

♦*  Certainly,"  I  observed.     **  But  how  is  all  your  family  ?" 

A  cloud  passed  over  the  brow  of  the  baronet.  **  Ah,  Mor- 
ris, I  have  much  to  tell  you.  You  have  now  been  for  many 
years  residing  in  England,  and  sad  changes  have  taken  place 
at  O'Flaherty  Hall  since  you  were  last  there.  Lady  O'Fla- 
herty  is  dead,  and  poor  William  also— this,  however,  you 
must  have  heard, — breathed  his  last  at  Waterloo.  Alas !" 
he  pursued,  evidently  much  affected,  *<  his  death  weighs 
heavily  at  my  heart.  Our  last  meeting  was  one  on  which  I 
do  not  like  to  dwell,  for  it  terminated  in  a  rupture.  His 
generous  and  uncalculating  disposition  had  involved  him  in 
continual  difficulties.  These  I  had  often  relieved,  but, 
where  most  my  assistance  was  required,  I  withheld  it.  I 
rejected  his  last  appeal  to  my  generosity,  closed  my  hand  on 
his,  necessities,  and,  in  the  warmth  of  my  irritation  at  his 
folly,  embittered  my  refusal  with  cruel  observations  on  his 
conduct.  We  parted,  1  lament  to  say,  not  as  brothers  should 
have  parted.  Poor,  noble,  warm-hearted  fellow,  I  never 
beheld  him  more  !  AH,  Morris,  he  would  not  have  treated 
me  thus.  What  would  I  not  give  at  this  moment  to  have 
the  opportunity  of  lending  him  half  my  fortune  ! '  I  would 
cheerfully  purchase  the  privilege  with  the  other  half.  His 
wife,  a  being  whom  Nature  had  formed  in  one  of  her  most 
benignant  moods,  died  shortly  afterwards  at  Brussels.  Thank 
God,  however,  their  child  is  with  me,  and  O'Flaherty  Hall 
and  all  that  I  possess  shall  be  hers«  if  there  is  anything 
that  caA  afford  me  pleasure  bow,  it  is  that,  having  no  family 
<of  my  own,  I  can  fully  atone  to  his  child  for  my  unkihdness 
and  worldliness  towards  a  generous  brother." 

Sir  Brien  had  touehed  a  chord  that  awakened  all  the  finer 
feelings  of  his  soul,  and  he  was  deeply  affected ;  for  his  was 
a  nature  but  ill-calculated  to  endure  that  loneliness  and  deso- 
lation, which  the  d^ath  of  ji  dear  and  beloved  friend  is  sure 
lo  impart,  to  tfie  warm-hearted  and  the  generous. 

The  baronet,  I  may  take  the  present  opportunity  to  le- 


THB  ENGLISH  IN  PARIg. 


Jtf 


marlc,  is,  like  myself,  of  the  very  best  family  in  Connaught: 
and  one  remarkable  circumstance  connected  with  his  property 
is,  that  not  a  single  acre  of  his  large  estates  is  mortgaged. 
That  he  is  one  of  the  worthiest  men  in  the  county,  i^  one 
can  deny ;  and  were  I  asked  where  the  real  old  Irish  gentle- 
man is  to  be  found,  I  think  I  might  safely  say,  ♦*  To  find  such 
a  man  you  must  visit  Connaught." 

We  now  repaired  to  the  private  apartments  of  the  baronet 
Miss  OTlaherty  rose  hurriedly,  and,  as  I  thought  somewhat 
delightedly,  to  receive  me.  Poor  old  soul!  she  was  evi- 
dently decked  out  for  conquest,  and  looked  as  if  she  not  only 
claimed,  but  expected  my  homage.  I  am  remarkable  for  my 
politeness,  so  that  I  could  not  well  do  less  than  pass  a  coni- 
pliment  on  her  appearance.  She  smiled,  blushed,  and  cast 
on  me  one  of  her  most  languishing  looks. 

"Allow  me,  my  dear  Morris,'^  exclaimed  the  baronet, 
"  to  introduce  you  to  my  beloved  niece,  Emily." 

Had  I  been  twenty  years  younger,  with  the  feelings  I  then 
possessed,  this  mtroduction  woUld  have  proved  fatal  to  my 
peace.     As  it  was*  the  sight  of  the  lovely  Emily  revived  a 
spark  of  that  enthusiastic  rapture  which  had  so  long  slum- 
bered withw  my  bosom,  and  indeed  I  did  not  withdraw  my 
gaze  from  her  until  I  had  fully  impressed  her  image  on  my 
mmd.    Herstyle  of  countenance  was  Grecian ;  her  features 
«xqmsitely  chiselled  and  of  extreme  loveliness.     Her  eve» 
were  blue,  soft,  and  filled  with  inteUigence  and  expression. 
«er  hair  was  of  a  dark  brown,  utterly  unconfined,  and  fall, 
ing  in  natiiral  ringlets  over  the  most  beautiful  neck  in  the 
world.   Her  figure  was  light  and  buoyant  as  that  of  a  eyloh 
md  when  she  spoke,  kindliness,  sweetness,  charity,  benevol 
tence,  love,— m  short,  all  the  more  gentle  and  amiaWe  attri- 
butes  of  our  natare  seemed  to  linger  en  her  lips.    Her  mc« 

1^,  j"""«.»*««l^S^  yhe°  'he  ■«iled,  the  influence  offi 
BmUe  was  irresistible  m  its  sweetness.  The  utmost  simX 
eitjr  was  rem^kable  in  her  dn«s,  where  art  Sd  SSSL 
«u^d  merely  because  nature  had  left  nothing  to  be  imZ^ 
^  Time  happy  feUow  who  shaU  caU  tlie  hill" Tm^ 


20 


FRASCAli's  ;    OR 


tally  exclaimed,  as  my  look  reposed  on  her  snowy  bosom, 
•*  and  thrice  cursed  be  he  who  shall  wring  a  sigh  from  that 
calm  abode  of  innocence,  or  '  plant  in  that  bosom  a  thorn.'*' 

*'  May  Heaven  bless  you  !"  at  length  burst  audibly  from 
my  ips,  while  I  grasped  her  soft  white  delicate  hand.  The 
recollection  or  her  father's  worth,  and  of  the  days  of  friendly 
intercourse  I  had  passed  with  him,  imparted  a  placid  me^ 
lancholy  to  my  mind,  and  inspired  me  with  this  pure  and 
fervent  exclamation  for  his  child.  *'  You  remind  me,"  I 
pursued,  "  of  the  dearest  friendj  ever  had.  May  his  daugh- 
^r  know  nought  save  happiness  and  content,  and  may  that 
Providence  which  has  made  you  the  sweetest  and  fairest  of 
your  sex  vouchsafe  you  every  bliss,  both  here  and  here- 
after !  Emily  smiled,  pressed  my  hand,  and  dropped  a 
tear,  all  in  the  same  moment. 

Sir  Brien  seemed  deeply  to  feel  the  manner  in  which  I 
had  alluded  to  his  brother,  and  his  countenance  bespoke  the 
alternate  workings  of  grief  and  joy.  As  for  Miss  O'Fla- 
herty,  she  heard  it  all  with  the  utmost  indifference,  and  I 
might  have  pursued  until  midnight  the  strain  I  had  com- 
menced, without  being  favoured  with  the  slightest  attention 
from  her,  had  I  not  awakened  her  interest,  and  her  pique, 
by  calling  her  niece  "  the  sweetest  and  fairest  of  her  sex." 
Her  displeasure,  however,  was  somewhat  checked  when, 
on  looking  up,  she  discovered  in  my  manner  rather  the  in- 
<lulgent  admiration  of  a  parent  than  the  adoration  of  a  lover. 

"  Will  you  not  be  seated,  Mr.  Morris  ?"  she  observed, 
with  one  of  her  sweetest  smiles,  and  pointing  to  a  chair 
which  stood  at  the  side  of  her  own;  "shall  I  order  j-^ou 
any  refreshment  ?" 

;*  You  are  extremely  attentive,"  said  I,  summoning  reso- 
luUon  to  throw  myself  into  the  proffered  seat,  "  but  I  have 
already  given  orders  to  the  waiter." 

"Nay,  my  dear  Mr,  Morris,  do  not  speak  of  attention, 
•urely  we  have  been  too  long  acquainted  to  stand  on  much 
ceremony." 

**  True,  true,  Miss  O'Flahcrty,"  I  eagerly  repUed,  and  I 


THE   KK0LI8H  IN   PATllS. 


21 


I  confess  not  altogether  with  the  politeness  for  whi'h  the 
Morisses  are  remarkable ;  "  we  are  acquaintances  of  long,    ' 
^ery  long,  standing.     Many  summers  have  passed  away, 
and  many  a  cheek  has  lost  its  bloom  since  I  first  had  the 
pleasure  of  knowing  ^ou  ?  but  alas !"  I  proceeded,  affecting 
a  sigh  of  regret,  »» it  is  with  us  even  as  with  all  others ;  we 
descend  far  into  the  vale  of  years,  and  then  begin  to  wonder 
I  how  the  time  has  slipt  so  imperceptibly  away." 
I     To  a  veteran  spinster,  who  has  not  yet  relinquished  all 
Ihopes  of  wedlock,  dates  and  remembrances  are  horrible 
bores.     Miss  O'Flaherty  did  not  appear  to  like  ray  allusion 
jto  that  distant  period  of  our  lives ;  but,  artfully  halving  the 
Ipenod  of  our  acquaintance,  had  the  tact  to  change  the  dis^ 
|cour8e,  and  advert  to  nlore  •  poetical  n^atter.' 


2% 


rR4SG4Ti*8;   OR 


'11 


CHAPTER  III. 


The  appearance  of  my  old  friend,  on  descrnding  to  the 
breakfast  room  on  the  following  morning,  afi'orded  ample 
room  to  the  criticisms  of  his  sister,  and,  indeed,  neither 
Emily  nor  myself  could  suppress  a  smile  at  his  travelling 
habiliments ;  for  by  means  of  the  strange  garb  in  which  he 
had  inducted  his  athletic  limbs,  he  had  contrived  to  meta- 
morphose a  very  imposing  figure  into  one  of  most  grotesque 
character.  He  wore  a  suit  of  rusty  black,  hung  loosely 
about  him,  and  capacious  enough,  notwithstanding  his  Her- 1 
eulean  proportions,  to  accommodate  a  friend,  had  it  been 
necessary.  The  calibre  of  his  hat,  the  leaf  of  which  trim- 
med out  to  a  Dutch  circumference  of  brim,  was  propor- 
tionably  roomy ;  in  shott,  his  whole  appearance  was  unique. 
I  have  never  seen  any  caricature  on  the  stage  that  could  ap- 
proach his  costume  except  Liston,  in  his  mourning  suit,  aS| 
t\:>  dancing  master,  in  »♦  Killing  no  Murder."  ! 

While  Miss  OTlaherty  was  yet  loudly  expressing  herj 
displeasure,  and  angrily  protesting  against  the  lidiciiioivi  at- 
tire  of  her  brother,  the  mate  ok  the  Medusa  mn^".*.  yj    ap- 
pearance, announcing  that  not  a  moment  wab  io  he  lost  in! 
getting  on  board,  as  the  packet  was  to  sail  immediately.     \ 

Cursing  this  unnatural  haste,  as  he  termed  it,  the  baronet^ 
aban('  >ned  his  unfinished  meal,  and  set  off  in  a  kind  of  half- 
run  to  ,  ^--^  the  niiay,  leaving  me  to  escort  the  ladies.    As 
the  rof-  i,v    ajst  .tiready  have  perceived,  Sir  Brien  O'Fla- 


tHK   t:N0Ll8H    IN   PARIS. 


n 


orty,  though  a  kind,  honourable,    -ood  mai.,  waa  some- 
hing  of  an  oddity,  and  his  eccentricmes  of  character  were 
sver  leading  him  into  positions  of  embarras?'nent  and  ridi- 
lule.     The  observations  of  his  sister  had  put  him  inU)  the 
orst  of  all  possible  humours,  and  this,  added  to  the  abrupt 
ummons  from  his  breakfast,  and  one  or  two  other  teinpo- 
ary  annoviin  es.  had  completely  destroyed  his  self  com- 
)08urf      Whci  ^ve  reached  the  packet  we  found  him  in  a 
tate  of  high  excitement.     In  descending  from  the  quay  lo 
\A»  vessel  a  step  of  the  ladder  had  broken  under  him,  and 
V     jw  appeared  hterally  stuck  in  the  middle  of  it,  and  in- 
apable  either  of  advancing  or  of  returning.     The  awk* 
"ardness  of  his  position,  and  the  violence  of  temper  he 
lanifested  m  finding  himself  thus  entrapped,  together  with 
IS  inability  to  extricate  himself  from  durance  vile,  pro- 
uced  a  burst  of  laughter  from  the  assembled  crowds,  both 
1  tlie  packet  and  on  the  quay.     The  consciousness  of  being 
le  subject  of  all  this  merriment  only  increased  his  passion, 
yd  he  rated  the  ladder-man  soundly  for  having  given  him 
I  unsafe  ladder,  with  a  view  to  his  destrucUon.     It  was 
vam  that  the  man  urged  the  ladder  waa  perfectly  sound, 
id  that  the  enormous  weight  of  the  gentleman  had  alone 
.ccasioned  the  accident.    Sir  Brien  persisted  in  his  as^ 
ertion    and  when  the  poor  fellow  seized  him  by  the  arm. 
ith  the  view  of  disengaging  him  from  his  unsafe  position, 
voUev  of  abuse  sucpeeded,  in  the  midst  of  which,  how- 
ler, the  irafcible  baronet  was  at  length  safely  deposited  on 
Zt't''^  >he  Medusa.     But  here  L  ill  humour  was  nJl 
Z!l?  ■♦""?*''  ^S'  ^^^  ladder-man  in  the  next  instant 
;)proacheu,  to  demand  the  customary  contribution. 

«mW«M™S^''*^^™™®".^®^  ^  ^*  ^"t«"  ^ho»  like  m^ 
rT^ltt^  ?w  '  """  t^^  improvement  and  amusement 
L?*fr  r  .V***  eomethmg  mvariably  be  left  to  the  ima- 
S«  T^V**^^''i    '".^'^^'dance,  therefore,  with  that 

•  woS!\h?"  ^'^^^  ^^^IV  ^  '1^«  ««d*'  to  fancy  the  war 
words  that  now  ensued  between  Sir  Brien  and  the  ladder- 
iaii» 


34 


tRASCATI*8i    OR 


\^ 


Notwithstanding  the  impatience  of  the  mate  in  harrying 
us  all  unbreakfasted  on  board,  the  packet  did  not  unmoor 
for  an  hour  and  a  half  after  our  embarkation ;  an  arrange- 
ment  not  at  all  calculated  to  appease  Sir  Brien's  humour, 
after  the  very  slight  repast  he  had  been  permitted  to  swal- 
low. As  if  the  devil  had  intended  to  be  merry  at  his  ex- 
pense, he  had  contrived  that  one  of  his  accredited  repre- 
sentatives should  be  present,  in  the  shape  of  an  Irish  attor- 
ney. The  very  sight  of  this  individual  was  enough  to 
ihrow  Sir  Brien  Into  a  fever ;  for  by  his  counsel  he  once 
had  the  folly  to  get  involved  in  a  chancery  suit,  which  he 
lost  of  course,  while  an  enormous  bill  of  costs  was  furnished 
by  tlie  adviser,  which  he  was  compelled  to  pay. 

*'  Gentlemen  and  ladies,"  exclaimed  the  baronet,  before 
the  vessel  had  well  got  under  weigh,  "we  have  every  as- 
surance of  safety  here,  I  mean  the  assurance  of  not  being 
drowned,  for  we  are  protected  from  any  such  accident  by 
the  presence  of  an  attorney  who  Was  born  to  be  hanged." 

The  attorney  "ery  prudently  took  no  notice  of  the  ob- 
servation, which  could  lead  any  one  to  imagine  that  he  was 
the  person  alluded  to ;  and  as  all  had  prepared  themselves 
for  a  laugh  against  somebody.  Sir  Brien  had  the  misfortune 
to  be  saddled  with  the  ridicule  intended'for  another.  In 
this  the  attorney  now  cordially  joined,  laughing  more 
heartily  and  pointedly  than  all  the  rest. 

Poor  Emily  was  overcome  with  shame  at  the  notice  thus 
drawn  on  us  by  her  uncle,  while  Miss  O'Flaherty  lectured 
him  on  his  ridiculous  behaviour. 

*•  What  do  you  talk  about,  you  old  fool  ?"  he  exclaimed, 
loud  enough  to  be  heard  throughout  the  whole  packet. 

"  Have  I  not  a  right,"  replied  he,  "  to  be  vexed  ?  Have 
you  not  inveigled  me  from  O'Flaherty  Hall  on  a  wild  goose 
chase  to  France  ?  It  is  only  now  that  I  perceive  what  you 
have  been  aiming  at.  You  intend,  I  suppose,  to  make  a 
great  lady  of  yourself  by  marrying  some  hungry  half-starved 
French  count ;  but  do  not  think  of  making  a  cat's  paw  of 
me  for  your  love-schemee  any  longer.    Not  a  step  farther 


TUE  ENGLISH   IN   PARIS. 


25 


ironet,  before 


than  Boulogne  will  I  go ;  and  the  moment  I  get  there,  back 
again  will  I  carry  you,  body  and  bones,  to  Connaught." 

During  this  burst  of  passion,  sa  amusing  to  those  around 
I  endeavoured  to  cheer  the  drooping  spirits  of  Emily,  but  it 
was  in  vain :  slie  hung  down  her  head  in  shame,  and  I  saw 
the  large  tears  chasing  each  other  down  her  cheek.     The 
only  individual,  unconnected  with  our  party  who  joined  not 
m  the  laugh  produced  by  this  singular  collision  of  Sir  Brien 
with  his  sister,  was  a  handsome  and  prepossessing  younir 
man,  who,  leaning  against  the  side  of  the  vessel,  stood  im- 
mediately facing  the  seat  occupied  by  Emily.     He  gazed  at 
her  with  a  look  of  deep  yet  respectful  interest,  and  compas- 
sion and  concern  for  her  painful  situation  seemed  to  leave 
him  insensible  to  every  other  emotion  save  that  of  re^n-et.     I 
could  have  clasped  him  to  my  bosom  for  that  look ;  for  I 
thought  it  shewed  the  most  benevolent  nature-  thus  to  sym- 
pathize with  a  perfect  stranger,  and  at  a  moment  when  sur^ 
rounded  by  every  inducement  to  gaiety  and  laughter.     A 
far  more  valuable  reward  than  any  approbation  of  mine 
awaited  him.    In  a  few  minutes  Emily  looked  up  •  she 
caught  his  eyes  rivetted  on  her  with  a  tenderness  of  expres- 
sion that  made  her  tremble :  her  own,  still  dimmed  with  tears 
replied  with  a  look  of  gratitude  and  thankfulness.     He 
started,  turned  pale  and  red  alternately,  withdrew  his  gaze 
as  if  fearful  to  offend,  changed  his  position,  and  leaning  his 
head  on  his  hand,  kept  his  eyes  fixed  on  the  receding  waves. 

Arrived  at  Boulogne,  Sir  Brien  was  the  first  to  land,  and 
once  more  was  his  testy  humour  doomed  to  be  excited  this 
day.  Scarcely  had  he  put  his  foot  on  terra  firma,  when  he 
tound  himself  beset  by  a  tormenting  posse  of  hotel-aaents 
each  endeavouring  to  secure  him  to  himself,  and  vociferously 
bawling  forth  the  superior  accommodation  to  be  found  at  his 
employer  s. ,  Hemmed  in  on  every  side,  shoved,  shouted 
at,  and  worried,  even  to  treading  on  his  corns,  the  baronet 
was  at  first  completely  taken  by  surprise,  but  at  length  ffoaded 
into  rage,  he  c  eared  a  space  around  him  with  his  stick,  then 
like  a  stag  at  bay,  turned  on  each  of  his  tormentors,  who 


26 


frascati'b;  or 


forming  a  circle  around  him  ^  kept  bellowing  in  his  ears  thd 
names  and  qualities  of  their  respective  hotels,  and  flinging 
th^ir  cards  at  him  for  selection.  Happily  for  some  of  the 
heads  of  these  fellows,  which  the  teased  and  almost  maddened 
baronet  was  preparing  to  assail  with  a  stick  of  size  propor- 
tioned to  liL  tall  and  muscular  frame,  an  old  friend  of  his, 
long  resident  in  the  place,  now  approached,  and  hurrying  to 
his  deliverance,  succeeded  i^  freeing  him  from  this  merce- 
nary gang. 

To  this  succeeded  the  examination  of  passports.  Miss 
O'Flaherty  handed  hers  to  a  very  handsome  young  man, 
with  a  pair  of  black  and  sparkling  eyes,  which  had  evidently 
procured  him  this  preference.  He  read  it  attentively— re- 
peated aloud  "  aged  thirty,"  surveyed  her  person  with  an 
oflicial  look,  as  if  in  doubt  of  her  being  the  lady  therein  de- 
scribed, and  then,  folding  up  the  paper,  returned  it  with  a 
low  bow,  accompanied  by  the  most  malicious  leer  in  the 
world.  Indeed  this  odious  passport  was  a  source  of  no  little 
uneasiness  to  Miss  O 'Flaherty,  for  the  gentleman  who  usual- 
ly takes  traveUing  likenesses,  at  No.  50,  Portland  Place, 
had  drawn  hers  so  correctly,  that  had  she  been  aware  of  the 
necessity  of  sitting  for  her  picture  to  so  unflattering  an  artist, 
and  that  this  daub  was  to  be  exhibited  at  every  fortifled 
town  through  which  she  passed,  she  never  would  have  visited 
France  at  all. 


THE   ENOI,ISH   IN   PARIS. 


27 


CHAPTER  IV. 


We  took  up  our  abode  at  the  Hotel  du  Nord.  There,  in 
the  society  of  his  old  friend  and  recent  deliverer,  Sir  Brien 
xotsot  all  the  annoyances  of  his  journey.  Politics,  Ireland, 
and  Catholic  emancipation  entirely  occupied  their  attention, 
and  furnished  them  with  abundant  matter  for  conversation 
after  dinner.  Still  sore  from  the  annoyance  she  had  experi- 
enced at  the  passport  office.  Miss  O'Flaherty  was  too  dis- 
spirited  to  think  of  venturing  forth,  so  that  Emily  and  my- 
self were  left  to  enjoy  our  evening  walk. 

In  our  progress  up  the  Grande  Rue  towards  the  ranf^arts 
of  the  town,  I  had  the  satisfaction  of  beholding  many  faces, 
both  English  and  Irish,  from  which  I  had  long  been  estranged. 
Unfelicitous  revolutions  in  the  constitutions  of  some  and  in 
the  purses  of  others,  had  rendered  change  of  climate  and 
laws  in  a  great  degree  indispensable,  and  I  must  confess,  in 
both  instances,  that  the  change  had  been  for  the  better.  It 
was  a  source  of  no  little  gratification  to  me  to  be  enabled  once 
more  to  shake  hands  with  the  companions  of  my  younger 
days — men  whom  I  had  not  seen  for  many  years,- and  whom 
I  could  never  again  expect  to  meet  in  our  beloved  sovereign's 
dominions. 

While  making  the  tour  of  the  ramparts  we  encountered 
the  interesting  stranger  who  had  so  completely  won  my 
good  opinion  by  his  conduct  towards  Emily  in  the  packet. 
She  now,  I  perceived,  trembled  with  her  emotion.  He  looked 


ts 


FRASCATl's;  OR 


loXghoiiW  h.?    ?'  "«•«=«""«  «»  apprehension  lest  his 

young  ge„aen,a5  *"""«  °™' '"  *e  ppck  ,  ^  'h^"""'   *"' 

I  mi^h?"'  r""  ""  ,''  'o  ^''"•"'"O  hi'  person,  in  ^rder  that 
1  might  reply  more  decidedly  to  her  rpm»rl,  k  .  •         .• 

™««'y  «oJ«dulge  her  with  llrlook'''"'  '"  "'''"^ 

position      ..H.^'il'"  'f'f  «*  '■^P"^'''  ""hoot  altering  my 

Cee^rsee"""  ''"""'^  ""^  °'  '^^  «"-'  ^""2  ■"»  I 

I  felt  my  arm  gently  pressed  by  the  white  hand  of  mv 

~5tTent"h"'1"2  "^"P'^-^^J  «pli7wUh"VvLuy'^ 
VJ"  ye '> ;« «  he— I  am  sura  it  is  he,  and,  indeed  I  now'ii. 

ooUmhavmgseen  him  before  at  the  Opera  I  wonder  X 
he  18,"  she  pursued,  forgetting  herself  ent  relvTn  ?he  ■!« 

.  sudL!i'lr.!?^™'''''"'"'*™''  """■*''  *''  '«»'  'emark  when 
dCtTdvrZr'TT  "r  ^'-g""  "  ""'h,  even  of 
S^  T'l.^'" '*", ''''*^''-  ■^'  *at  moment  the  younir 
.t^nger  looked  round,  and  the  confusion  of  Emily  was^Z? 

I  affected  neither  to  have  heard  what  she  said  nor  to  have 
nolaced  the  high  suffusion  of  her  features,  but,  fixingmy  eyes 

am  cipated  victories  over  England,  continued  to  speak  of  it 

rwi':nt!'*  ""'  "'"='^"'  '*""'  •»  —  f-»  her 

I  m^luT^'^'- '  "J"  'P"'*"  •"  •^'-n-'he  shall  know  him  !" 
I  mentally  exclaimed,  as  we  now  pursued  our  course  along 

tmZrT    "^^  '•"^'  """"  •■'»  •"  *«  ■>««  turn,  and  I 
Will  make  it  a  point  to  accost  him." 

This  resolution  of  mine  might'not  have  been  particularlv 
corrector  prudent,  neither  co.!d  I  feel  ahogether^uSt 


SCENES  IN  PARIS.  29 

making  Emily  acquainted  with  a  man  of  whom  I  knew  noth- 
ing, and  for  whom  it  was  obvious  she  entertained  a  secret  re- 
gard, that  in  all  probability  would  ripen  into  a  warmer  feel- 
ing; yet  there  was  sometliing  so  engaging  in  his  appearance, 
so  prepossessing  in  his  manner — in  short,  nature  and  educa- 
tion appeared  to  have  done  so  much  for  him,  that  it  was  al- 
most impossible  to  resist  the  desire  of  becoming  known  to 
one  who  carried  a  letter  of  recommendation  in  every  line  of 
I  his  countenance. 

We  still  pursued  our  walk,  but  at  the  point  where  we  were 
most  likely  to  meet,  had  he  continued  on  the  ramparts,  the 
stranger  did  not  appear.  It  was  easy  to  discover  what  was 
passing  in  the  mind  of  my  companion  from  the  wistful  and 
anxious  expression  of  her  eyes  as  we  drew  nearer  to  the 
place. 

"I  believe,"  said  1  with  an  air  of  disappointment,  "that 
the  stranger  is  gone— I  am  sory  for  it,  for  I  wished  to  ex- 
amine his  features." 

*'  Have  you  not  then  remarked  them  ?"  eagerly  rejoined 
■  Emily,  in  a  tone  of  undissembled  snrprise.  *'  Oh !'-  she 
[pursued,  "you  never  beheld  such— "she  paused,  blushed, 
i  and  turned  away  her  head. 

,     Once  more  I  charitably  turned  my  eyes  in  search  of  some 
object  in  the  distance.     The  sea  was  before  me  in  magnifi- 
cent perspective.     "  What  a  noble  prospect  ?"  I  exclaimed, 
[pretending  to  be  wholly  absorbed  in  admiration  of  the  view. 
I  might  as  well  have  said,  "  what  a  barren,  dreary  expanse 
yon  watery  plain  presents,  leaving  no  impression  on  the 
mmd  save  that  of  its  vastness."     One  observation  would 
have  answered  the  same  purpose  as  the  other,  and  EmilyJwould 
have  said  "yes"  to  either.    However,  as  I  had  set  out  with 
an  exclamation  of  rapture,  I  went  on  in  the  same  strain  of 
eulogy,  until  I  had  succeeded  in  making  Emily  believe  that 
11  had  forgotten  the  handsome  stranger  altogetlier. 

On  reaching  the  steps  leading  from  the  ramparts  to  the 
Itown.  Emily  inquired  in  a  hesitating  tone,  whether  a  change 
in  our  walk  would  not  be  desirable.    It  was  evident  that 

c  2 


30 


frascati's  ;  OR 


she  imagined  the  stranger  was  gone,  and  I  could  not  of 
course  object  to  her  request. 

This,  dear  reader,  was  an  important  moment,  not  only  to 
me  but  to  yourself,  for  then  it  was  that  I  first  formed  my  de- 
sign of  authorship.  What  a  delightful  subject  for  a  novel, 
methought,  will  my  tour  from  London  to  Paris  afford  !  At 
any  other  moment  I  should  have  rejected  the  plan  as  utterly 
impracticable,  but  now  here  was  every  probability  of  a  love 
«tory,  which,  if  interwoven  with  my  own  observations  along 
the  road,  would  certainly  form  a  highly  interesting  book. 
The  temptation  was  too  powerful  to  be  resisted,  and  the 
more  I  reflected  on  the  subject  the  more  I  was  pleased  with 
the  idea. 

As  we  entered  into  the  heart  of  the  town  I  stepped  into  a 
stationer's  shop  and  provided  myself  with  the  materials  ne- 
cessary for  itinerant  authorship.  What  a  glow  of  delight 
ran  through  my  blood  as  Monsieur  Lafont  handed  me  over 
paper  and  pens  enough  to  write  the  history  of  the  world. 

"  How  well  it  will  look,"  I  murmured  audibly  to  myself, 
with  a  title  page  to  the  following  effect, — "  A  Journey  to 
Paris.  By  Rambleton  Morris,  Esquire,  of  Ronayne  Castle, 
Connaught !"     Emily  pulled  my  arm. 

**  What  were  you  remarking  about  a  tour,  do  you  intend 
to  write  one,  Mr.  Morris  ?"  she  asked,  looking  at  the  same 
time  with  an  arch  expression  full  in  my  face. 

*'  Oh  no,  child,  not  I,"  I  hastily  exclaimed,  (for  my  ob- 
ject was  to  surprise  my  friends  by  its  publication,)  "  'tis  no- 
thing at  all,  nothing  at  all,  my  dear."  Since  leaving  Mon- 
sieur Lafont's  shop  I  had  continued  in  a  deep  reverie,  think- 
ing of  my  book  and  its  probable  reception ;  Emily's  obser- 
vation, however,  recalled  me  to  my  senses.  She  had 
whisked  me  about  in  every  direction  and  without  my  being 
at  all  conscious  whither  I  was  going.  We  were  now,  I 
found,  on  the  Calais  road  and  moving  towards  the  monu- 
ment, near  which  I  met  an  elderly  gentleman  who  appeared 
to  recognize  me ;  I  also  fancied  that  I  knew  him,  and  my 
doubts  were  soon  at  an  end,  when  on  taking  a  closer  survey 


SCENES    IN    PARIS. 


31 


of  his  person  and  features,  I  discovered  my  old  friend  Cap- 
tain  Geraghty. 

Doctor  Johnson  somewhere  remarks,  that  the  first  thing 
discussed  when  two  Englishmen  meet  is  the  weather,  and  I 
have  observed  that  the  first  thing  mentioned  at  the  first  meet- 
ing of  two  Irishmen  on  a  foreign  shore,  is  the  cheapness  or 
dearness  of  drink.  So  at  least  it  was  on  the  present  occa- 
sion, for  Geraghty  had  scarcely  asked  me  how  I  was,  when 
he  commenced  a  long  encomium  on  the  eau-de-vie  of  the 
neighbourhood,  which  he  said  was  remarkably  reasonable 
in  price. 

"  I  tell  you  what,  Morris,"  he  pursued,  "  if  you  remain 

any  time  m  Boulogne,  I  will  recommend  you  to  a  capital 

house  just  outside  the  barrier ;  I  go  there  frequently  to  re- 

I  fresh  myself,  but  chiefly  on  account  of  the  company  to  be  met 

there,  which  is  very  select.     In  fact  I  am  only  returninff 

Wrom  the  place  now,  and  well  provided  as  you  perceive.'^ 

[So  saying,  he  produced  a  good  sized  pocket-pistol,  as  he 

Itermed  it,  adding,  "  It  is  always  well  to  have  a  supply  of 

^iis  kind  near  one,  and  outside  the  barriers,you  get  it  for  half 

)rice.     But  let  me,  my  dear  Morris,  'warn  you  against  the 

^rench  wines,  they  are  not  wholesome,  but  all  too  crude, 

acid,  weak,  and  cold." 

"  Of  this  I  have  already  had  sufficient  experience  to  con- 
hnce  me,  I  returned ;  "  they  are  also  without  the  power  of 
frousmgone."  r     ^*  wi 

"  Precisely  so,"  replied  Geraghty.     «  A  man  enjoys  no 

atisfaction  whatever  in  drinking  them,  for  he  rises  nearly 

Is  sober  after  them  as  when  he  sat  down. 

Geraghty,  it  was  evident,  had  a  tolerably  correct  notion 

what  IS  generally  esteemed  "  good  liquor;"  that  is  to  say, 

If  a  beverage  so  potent,  that  while  it  leaves  you  without  tho 

lower  of  finding  your  way  home,  it  also  affords  you  a  very 

bir  chance  of  being  robbed  or  run  over  in  the  street.     Dur- 

pproached  the  Haute  ViUe,  where  Emily  was  recognized 
Y  an  old  friend,  who,  lounging  on  Uwbalcony  of  her  house^ 


32 


FRASCATI^j;   OR 


and  enjoying  the  delightful  cool  air  of  the  evening,  was  also 
amusing  herself  with  quizzing  every  one  who  passed.  No- 
thing could  exceed  the  protestations  of  joy  with  which  Mrs. 
Archer  greeted  my  fair  companion  ;  and  she  seemed  particu- 
larly anxious  to  know  whether  Sir  Brien  intended  to  remain 
for  any  length  of  time  at  Boulogne.  She  almost  over- 
whelmed the  blushing  girl  with  compliments  and  caresses, 
and  declared  she  was  the  most  wretched  woman  in  the 
world,  because  her  son,  Captain  Archer,  was  absent.  Of 
this  I  have  no  doubt,  for  I  firmly  believe  it  would  have  suited 
the  interest  of  both  mother  and  son  to  admiration,  had  there 
been  the  slightest  probability  of  Emily  becoming  the  wife  of 
the  latter. 

t*'  The  best  of  friends  must  part."     Leaving  the  inconso- 
lable Mrs.  Archer  to  her  regrets  and  her  quizzing  glass,  we 
sauntered  into  the  Grande  Rue.     A'few  sun-burnt  Italians 
had  struck  up  their  music  in  the  street.     Several  flambeaux 
lighted   the  space  immediately  round  them,  and  threw  a 
glare  on  the  assembled  listeners.     The  men  played  a  soft 
melancholy  native  air,  which  acquired  additional  sweetness 
from  the  accompaniment  of  a  female  voice.     We  stopped 
to  listen.     Emily  soon  appeared  to  be  rivetted  to  the  spot ; 
and  I  could  perceive  a  delicious  pensiveness  stealing  over  her 
soul,  while  she  folded  her  arms  more  closely  round  mine, 
and  leaned  heavily  on  me  for  support.     I  was  not  long  in 
discovering  the  cause  of  this  unusual  expression  of  her  feel- 
ings.   Immediately  opposite  to  us,  and  with  his  figure  thrown 
into  strong  relief  by  one  of  the  lights,  stood  the  handsome 
stranger.     His  head  was  bowed  down,  and  the  music  ap- 
peared to  have  had  a  dejecting  influence  over  his  spiiits. 
He  at  length  looked  up,  but  perceiving  that  my  gaze  was 
intently  fixed  on  him,  his  embarrassment  increased,  and  he 
made  a  sudden  and  successful  effort  to  gain  the  rear  of  the 
crowd. 

On  our  return  to  the  hotel,  we  found  Sir  Brien  in  unusual- 
ly high  spirits.  "  Why,"  he  exclaimed  as  soon  as  he  saw 
Qte,  *'  why  did  you  run  away  from  us,  Morris,  this  evening! 


SCENES   IN   PAWS. 


33 


JThe  colonel  is  as  cheerful  as  ever.  He  is  but  this  moment 
Ipfone;  and  I  have  done  nothing  but  regret  your  absence  dur- 
jing  the  whole  evening.  Capital  wine,  my  dear  fellow,  and 
111  you  have  no  objection  we  will  have  just  one  bottle  more 
ibefore  we  go  to  bed,  if  it  is  only  to  drink  his  health." 

»*  With  all  my  heart,"  I  replied.  "  I  know  no  man  whose 
health  I  would  sooner  drink,  for  he  was  my  friend  twice 
^rhen  I  fought  for  him  at  an  election." 

"  Right,"  exclaimed  Sir  Brien ;  "  he  was  the  only  man 
7ho  had  the  courage  to  make  himself  ridiculous  in  parlia- 
lent ;  I  mean,  to  encounter  fearlessly  the  sneers  and  laugh- 
er of  the  silly  and  heartless,  in  bringing  about  a  desirable 
leasure :  and  in  spite  of  the  devil  we  will  put  either  his 
Ion  or  himself  up  at  the  next  election."  * 
Emily  had  retired  to  her  room,  and  Sir' Brien,  His  sister, 
la  1,  ^gan  a  consultation  on  our  journey  to  the  metropo- 
».     "You  may  rest  assured,"  observed  Miss  OTIaherty 
support  of  some  arguments  which  she  had  advanced  in 
i^our  of  immediate  departure,  "that  this  is  no  place  for 
)ur  niece.    I  can  see  as  far  as  most  people,"  she  puraued, 
jniticantly,  "  and  it  is  easy  enough  to  divine  what  will 
ippen  if  we  remain  much  longer  at  Boulogne.     I  have  al- 
^dy  heard  it  buzzed  about  that  a  great  heiress  has  arrived 

"Shew  me  the  man,"  exclaimed  Sir  Brien,  furiously, 

mo  will  dare  to  name  -matrimony  before  my   niece ! 

Imt  out  the  iellow  who  shall  even  think  of  marrying  her !" 

HnH  r"''  '^"'J^^'  ^"^^y  *««  ?««d  fo^  «"y  one  breath- 
I,  and  the  very  idea  of  a  man  daring  to  think  of  her  as  a 

i^npTr  l"!  ^i"  ^'^  ^'^^'  H«  determined  to  quit  Bou- 
ne  without  delay  ;--the  mode  of  conveyance  was  the 

Kp  Iv  A  t^^^'^.^-  Sir  Brien  had  left  his  old  family 
nZf  M  A'^u"  ^«»"«"^t'  and  not  all  the  argu- 
nts  of  Miss  O'Flaherty  could  induce  him  to  provide  hirp- 
with  another  on  quitting  London.     The  stage  he  de- 

hi^Jo  T^  P°^  ^"°"^*^  ^«'  ^i"»'  ^»d  in  the  stage 
|r  journey  had  been  performed  to  Dover.    I  now  pS- 


84 


FRASCATl's;   OR 


posed  the  diligence,  for  I  wished  to  travel  in  a  public  ve- 
hicle, as  I  anticipated  plentiful  subjects  for  my  book  in  the 
variety  of  character  I  was  likely  to  meet  virith.  My  sug- 
gestion was  immediately  adopted  both  by  the  baronet  and 
his  sister,  and  the  following  day  was  fixed  for  our  departure 
in  the  ♦  hirondelle,' 


CHAPTER  V. 


The  next  mornig,  while  I  lay  awake  in  bed,  planning  the 
conduct  of  my  novel  with  all  the  anxiety  of  an  author,  the 
waiter  entered  with  a  note  from  my  friend  Ableton  Hazard. 
I  broke  the  seal  impatiently.  It  contained  an  invitation  to 
breakfast,  in  which  I  was  particularly  requestet'  Pot  to  fail, 
as  the  writer  was  anxious  to  speak  to  me  on  a  subject  of 
much  importance.  Presuming,  immediately,  that  my  very 
dear  friend  was  desirous  of  repaying  me  a  large  sum  of 
money  which  I  had  lent  him  some  years  previously,-!  rose, 
dressed,  and  hurried  forth  to  his  lodgings. 

*'  How  fortunate,"  1  exclaimed,  rubbing  my  hands  with 
delight,  as  I  pursued  my  course  through  the  street,  "  how 
very  fortunate  that  I  thought  of  coming  to  Boulogne  !  The 
money  will  be  more  than  sufficient  to  defray  the  expenses  of 
my  journey." 

Hazard  was  up  when  I  arrived,  and  seemed  more  de- 1 
lighted  at  my  appearance,  I  thought,  than  debtors  usually 
are  in  the  presence  of  their  creditors.  He  shook  me  cor- 
dially, by  the  hand,  and  declared  I  was  looking  ten  years 
younger  than  when  he  had  seen  me  last.  I  in  my 
turn,  as  in  duty  bound,  returned  the  compUment,  and  in  fact 
I  might  have  done  so  in  safety,  for  he  certainly  was  looking 


8CENE8   m   PARW. 


8S 


exceedingly  well  for  a  man  who  had  got  rid  of  .o  much 
proMrty,  and  loat  so  many  nights'  rest  at  play 

During  breakfast  he  disclosed  the  important  communi- 
cation  alluded  to  m  his  note.     "  I  want  ySu,  my  de"  Moi- 

heiress!'"      •      ""  '»'"''''»'»''  •<>  «««  6'Ffahe"y,  the 

"  What !  to  the  baronet's  jister  ?"  I  exclaimed. 

mone^  kt'Z  'n'o'tr  '""^  '  ""^'' '  *""  "'«  "-  ^'  *« 
"Not  at  all,  the  young  lady  is  the  heiress." 

^  "  J '«""  ^°  '  "''''  yo"  »<»  introduce  me,— vou  mav 
be  assured.  Morris  "  after  a  pause,  during  which^^r^ 
ceived  every  mark  of  surprise  and  astonishment  in  mv 
countenance,  "  that  my  intentions  are  honouraWe!"        ^ 

astonUhL'r  '"  ■     '  ""^"'"'''  '''^  -  -  o^--  g-ter 
"  Marriage  of  course,"  he  rejoined. 

,  j»;:ef rr pten  tiste"^'^.  ^:z^zrz 

"So  I  have  still  J  but,  conscienUously,  I  cannot  live  with 

I  Mrs.  Hazard  any  longer.     We  were  not  Sly  i^^^^^^^^^ 

the  cereraony  having  been  performed  by  a  pS  bT^alr  nf 

a  priest  before  I  was  of  age,  and  you  ZoJJy^e^^Uol 

ris,  that  I  am  of  the  established  church.     Indeed   I  nev/r 

per  uadeTe  Xf  "'^  ^''"^  '^^  «^-«  eira^LpX 
woman."  ™'  ^  P'^^'*'    '"  '^^'-^  ^  ^^  °ot  like  the 

"  WeU,  but  before  you  tliink  of  marrying  Miss  0'Pl« 
hery,  a  divorce  from  your  present  wifeTu^st,  I  con^^^e 
be  an  mdispensable  preliminary."  conceive, 

"Not  at  all  necessary,"  he  coolly  retumprl  *«t  ;. 
easily  prove  the  invalid!  y  of  thrm^rrTa  "e   ll  T  i    n 

=gt  Sr;„t?l^r- ^'0-"^^^^ 


30 


fRASCATl'if   OR 


I 


"Pardon  me,"  I  rejoined.  "I  am  sorry  to  diflfer  from 
you,  but  I  conceive  it  to  be  a  very  reasonable  objection." 

"  This  is  d d  disobliging  on  your  part,"  returned 

Hazard,  as  I  took  up  my  hat  to  leave  him.  "  I  see  clearly 
what  you  are  at,  Morris.  You  have  a  design  on  Miss 
O'Flaherty  yourself;  but  hang  me  if  vou  shall  have  her.' 

I  had  not  been  five  minutes  returned  to  my  hotel,  when 
Captain  Geraghty  was  announced. 

"  Good  morning,  Morris,"  he  said  ;  "  I  have  waited  on 
you  about  a  little  affair,  at  your  friend  Hazard's  request." 

"What  affair?"  I  exclaimed,  starting  back  with  sur- 
prise 


•  Oh,  is  that  all  you  know  about  it  ?  Why,  by  J s, 

I  came  on  the  errand  the  more  willingly,  because  I  under- 
stood from  Hazard  that  you  would  be  disappointed  if  you 
did  not  hear  from  him." 

"  On  what  errand?  What  do  you  mean,  Geraghty  ?" 

"  Why,  he  is  only  just  waiting  below  for  you  on  the 
sands."  „ 

"  But  for  what  purpose  ?  Explain  yourself  more  fully, 

I  demanded. 

**  Why,  my  dear  fellow,  how  dull  of  comprehension  you 
are.  What  should  a  gentleman  be  waiting  for  another  on 
the  sands  for  ?  Surely  not  to  build  churches.  Hazard  is 
merely  anxious  that  you  should  meet  him  in  the  usual  way. 
I  advise  you  to  make  haste,  however,  for  I  think  we  are  likely 
to  have  a  little  rain,  that  would  be  bringing  some  delay,  and 
since  the  thing  is  to  be  done,  the  sooner  it  is  over  the  belter, 
you  know ;  for  these  cursed  police,  who  are  always  mak- 
ing themselves  unnecessarily  busy  here,  may  chance  to  get 
wind  of  the  thing  and  spoil  your  sport  altogether." 

"  But  I  have  had  no  dispute  with  Hazard ;  why  there 
fore,  should  I  fight  him?" 

"  Neither  did  he  tell  me  of  any  serious  difference,"  re- 
joined Geraghty,  "he  merely  hinted  at  something  about | 
Miss  OTlaherty,  and  supposing  you  to  be  quite  as  willing 
as  himself,  he  requested  me  to  carry  the  message,  which. 


•CEN£8   In    PARIS. 


at 


out  of  mere  friendihip  to  you  both  I  have  done  as  you  per^ 
ceive." 

"  A  pretty  affair  I  hav  o  got  into  now  !"  said  I  to  myself. 
"And  with  what  ridicule  shall  I  not  be  covered  if  it  is 
whispered  at  every  tea-table  at  Boulogne  that  I  fought  a  due! 
about  Miss  Harriet  O'Flaherty?  Nay,  I  shall  be  equally 
laughed  at  if  Emily  is  mentioned  as  the  cause  of  our  meeting. 
An  old  fellow  like  me,  with  a  head  as  white  as  snow,  entering 
the  lists  in  order  to  dispute  the  hand  of  a  girl  of  eighteen  ! 
Moreover,  if  such  a  report  goes  forth,  I  shall,  in  all  proba^ 
bility,  have  to  fight  the  baronet  himself.  A  pretty  dilemma 
truly,  this !" 

At  this  moment  Sir  Brien  made  his  apearance ;  I  explain- 
ed  the  nature  of  the  message  I  had  just  received,  and  re- 
quested him  to  accompany  me  to  the  sands.  He  said  some- 
thing about  accommodation  and  settling  the  matter  quietly, 
not  a  word  of  which^  however,  I  would  listen  to,  for  1  felt 
my  valour  increasing  as  I  warmed. 

Geraghty  highly  approved  of  my  determination.  "  Yes," 
he  remarked  to  Sir  Brien,  "Morris  is  quite  right.  Making 
up  the  matter  might  do  very  well  at  home,  but  it  is  ttot  at 
all  the  thing  on  a  foreign  shore.  It  would  be  scandalous 
here  for  two  British  subjects  to  have  a  difference,  and  not 
settle  it  in  the  open  air,  as  becomes  men  of  honour.  Look 
to  the  preservation  of  our  country's  credit,  Sir  Brien,  look 
to  that.^'  ' 

"  Very  true,  very  true  indeed,  captain,"  returned  the  baro- 
net ;  "  we  should  always  consider  the  reputation  of  our  coun- 
try.    In  the  name  of  goodness,  therefore,  let  them  fight.** 

I  arrived  on  the  sands  as  cool  and  collected  as  I  am  at  this 
moment;  and  I  grasped  my  pistol  with  as  much  steadiness 
of  hand  as  I  now  grasp  the  pen  with  which  I  describe  my 
adventure.  This  command  of  nerve,  however,  is  simply 
the  fruit  of  habit,  for  I  have  been  accustomed  to  fighting  from 
niy  very  childhood.  Seven  paces  were  now  measured,  to 
which  I  most  decidely  objected,  for  I  had  always  been  in  the 
habit  of  killing  my  man  at  five.     My  objection,  however, 

VOL.  I. — D 


3d 


FRASCATI'S ;  OR 


was  overruled ;  and  Sir  Brien  placed  me  at  seven  paces,  as 
agreed  on  between  Geraghty  and  himself.  At  this  moment 
I  felt  great  unwillingness  to  fire;  for  I  thought  of  the  desti- 
tute condition  into  which  the  family  of  Hazzard  would  be 
thrown  by  his  death,  and  nay  resolution  almost  failed.  The 
signal  was  however  given,  and  we  exchanged  shots,  strange 
to  say,  without  effect ;  though  I  verily  believe  I  'must  have 
hit  him,  for  I  never  miss  my  man. 

"  Good !"  exclaimed  Geraghty ;  perceiving  that  we  both 
stood  unharmed  in  our  several  places  ;  **  this  is  quite  enough 
to  establish  the  honour  of  the  country/' 

Quite  enuogh,"  repeated  the  baronet,  taking  the  pistol  from 
my  hand ;  "  and  now  we  may  return  once  more  quietly  to 
our  homes."  I  begged  leave  to  differ  from  him,  and  refused 
to  quit  the  ground  without  at  least  one  more  exchange  of 
shots.  My  opposition  however  was  vain ;  and  it  annoyed 
me  beyond  measure  to  see  Sir  Brien  marching  quietly  off 
with  the  pistol,  at  the  moment  when  I  was  just  getting  into 
the  humour  of  the  thing.  I  was  moreover  vexed,  that  so 
many  people  should  have  assembled  round  us,  without  being 
gratified  for  their  trouble  in  coming.  In  the  hope  of  shew- 
ing them  some  amusement,  I  followed  Sir  Brien  for  the  pur- 
pose of  recovering  the  pistol,  but  I  found  it  impossible  to 
overtake  him.  I  therefore  made  a  virtue  of  necessity,  and 
reconciled  my  disappointment. 


SCBNRS  IN  PARIS. 


39 


CHAPTER  VI. 


The  first  person  I  met  on  entering  the  hotel  was  Eiiiily. 
'—Kind  girl!  she  appeared  much  concerned  for  my  fety. 
"  Oh,  my  dear  sir !"  she  exclaimed,  grasping  my  hand,  "  I 
was  frightened  to  death  when  I  heard  where  you  were  gone ; 
and  my  poor  aunt  is  so  affected  at  the  idea  that  she  should 
have  been  the  origin  of  all  this  danger.  Come  with  me," 
she  pursued,  pulling  me  gently  forward,  "and  satisfy  her  that 
you  are  safe."  ' 

"Dear,  dear  Mr.  jMorris,"  cried  Miss  OTlaherty  as  I  e» 
tered,  "how  overjoyed  I  am  to  perceive  that  you  have  re- 
ceived no  injury !  How  could  you  be  so  rash  ?  But  since 
you  really  are  unhurt,  I  cannot  avoid  smiling  at  Uie  fact  of 
your  havmg  gone  out  to  fight  a  duel  about  me." 

Emily  could  not  suppress  a  smile,  while  several  friends 
ot  the  baronet  who  were  present  indulged  in  a  titter,  which 
nothing  but  her  excessive  vanity  prevented  Miss  O'Flahertv 
from  descovering  to  be  at  her  expense.  As  for  me,  it  wm 
no  source  of  merriment  at  aU  to  be  taken  for  her  fighting 

"About  you.  Miss  O'Flaherty!  fight  about  you  ?"  I  re- 
turned eagerly,  and  gladly  seizing  the  opportunity  of  check- 
mg  the  report  m  the  presence  of  strangers,—"  No,  my  dear 
mdam,  our  quarrel  had  a  very  different  origin,  I  assur^you; 

cnmin/""'"?'.^^'^  l'^"^^  ^"  «°  ungallant'as  to  refus/  U 
fomm^  any  lady's  champion.    However,  in  the  present  in- 


40 


fRASCATtS;  OR 


itance,  the  thing  is  quite  innjossible ;  you  could  not  have 
had  the  slightest  connection  with  this  dispute,  since  the  gen- 
tleman with  whom  I  fought  is  a  married  man." 

This  was  a  grievous  disappointment  to  Miss  OTlaherty, 
and  a  death  blow  to  her  vanity ;  while,  on  the  other  haud» 
on  many  accounts  it  proved  a  favourable  occurrence  to  me, 
as  she  never  afterwards  bored  me  with  her  tendor  advances. 

My  affair  with  Hazzard  had  delayed  our  departure  from 
Boulogne  for  another  day,  thereby  affording  me  the  un- 
speakable satisfaction  of  seeing  my  name  served  up  the  fol- 
lowing morning  at  breakfast,  with  all  the  same  pequante  of 
news-paper  lampoon : — 

"We  are  sorry  that  it  becomes  our  paintful  duty  to  bur- 
then our  pages  with  the  recital  of  a  scene  such  as  at  this 
moment  obtrudes  itself  on  our  notice.  A  meeting  took  place 
yesterday  on  the  sands,  the  well-known  arena  for  settling 
the  honourable  disputes  of  the  belligerent  geniuses  of  this 
town.  As  usual,  the  parties  exchanged  shots  without  ef- 
fect, ^nd  then  quitted  the  ground,  being  (as  one  in  particular 
of  the  party  pretends)  deprived  of  the  means  of  continuing 
the  contest  by  the  sudden  flight  of  an  eccentric  old  baronet 
with  the  pistols  immediately  after  the  first  fire.  The  friend 
of  one  of  the  principals,  whose  name  it  would  be  a  hazard 
to  mention,  bears  the  respectable  travelling  appellation  of 
Captain,  and  is  notorious  for  his  libera  1  patronage  of  a  cer- 
tain establishment  without  the  barriers !  The  other  principal 
is  a  hoary  Hibernian,  with  a  brogue  weH  suited  to  his  man- 
ners and  appearance. 

"  The  origin  of  the  dispute  has  not,  as  yet,  been  well  as- 
certained. Love,  we  hear  it  whispered,  has,  however,  had 
somethmg  to  do  with  it,— and  the  sister  of  the  baronet,  a  lady 
not  particularly  remarkable  either  for  beauty  or  extreme 
youth,  but  possessed  of  a  good  fortune  in  her  own  right,  is 
mentioned  as  the  prize  contended  for.  Play,  by  some,  is 
asserted  to  have  been  the  sole  origin  of  the  rencontre,  and  to 
this  opmion  we  ourselves  subscribe  the  more  willingly,  as 
one  of  principals  is  a  married  man,  and  much  addicted  to  the 


SCENES  IN  FARM. 


41 


recreation  his  name  implies.  The  hoary  Hibernian,  we  un- 
derstand  from  undoubted  authority,  is  an  experienced  caster, 
now  on  his  way  to  pay  an  annual  visit  to  the  rouge  et  noir  ta- 
b^  of  Pans  We  highly  disapprove  of  such  scandalous  pro. 
ceedings,  and  shall  ever  make  it  a  point  unshrinkingly  to  hold 
up  to  pubhc  reprobation  those  unblushing  offendU  against 
morality  and  the  well  being  of  society.  We  regret  thlTwe 
have  not  sufficient  space  tc  give  expression  to  our  justindiff- 
nation,  being  at  present  pressed  for  the  insertion  of  advertist 
ments  and  much  highly  interesting  matter.  Befor  we  close 
this  paragraph,  however,  we  would  humbly  suggest,  byway 
of  advice,  that  all  such  ridiculous,  mischievous,  akd  mzy 
spT^  k'      ^"f^"«^^^^\t«  the  decorum  which  should  be  ob- 

Wp  .vf/ff '""'"  '^'^'^'  ^^^  ™"«h  better  remain  at  home, 
vye  extend  the  same  admonition  to  all  hoary  gamesters,  and 
If.  notwithstanding  these  hints,  they  still  perfe^ereln  hTer 
determination  to  push,  their  broken  fortunes  on  a  French 
shore,  let  them  at  least  have  the  decency  to  hWe  their  aS 
and  infamy  in  the  purlieus  of  the  Palais  Royal."  ^ 

1  leave  the  reader  to  say  whether  this  was  not  pushing 

scra'^t  '"'  H^f  'f  '^  '''I  *^^^  '"^^  niisfortun'e  to  ge^t 

^ra  were^v?ll     ''""''i.'"'  ^'  ^^"  'eadily  understL 
wnat  were  my  feelings  on  this  occation.   ^ 

reading  thiSjlThr''"'"  '  ™""r^  ^^^"  '^^^  ^ni^hed 
reaamg  thisjdelectable  morceau,  "  that  at  least  is  {aUp    fnr 

i'we?;  ITJ^V  ^  "  '"y  •'^"O  'hat  Idld  noUofe  '  bZ 
fn  m^  ife?/!  "'* ""'•  ^  "'""  ^^^  » ™«^«  ^Inoir  table 
France  bef'"u"'":r"y  "''^ /"'  ""«  ^^o  never  was  ta 

'thorilv'-H^^  h     '■?"  ^''^l''""'^  from  'undoubted  au- 

i  ihrx  hr^heTo^LT^' '"" "'' «"""'« op'--  <•» 

[here*  Sri™  ■"''?^  "T?"'  fy^^^'^Y'^  affair  we  have 
pRead  h  "  I  ^^r.    A  ^'"''^.'"^l'  as  he  entered  the  room. 

"  "*"*  y°"  "»''  ""e  paragraph  ?  he  inquired.     «  What  aa 


42 


FRASCAT)  S    QR 


infamous  nttack  on  us  all !  Hazard  is  gone  in  search  of  the 
editor,  and  has  desired  me  to  express  his  exceeding  regret 
for  what  occurred  yesterday.  He  says,  as  an  atonement  for 
his  conduct,  that  if  you  wish  to  call  that  slanderous  villain 
out,  he  will  yield  you  the  prccadency,  and  you  shall  have 
the  first  shot  at  him." 

"  By  no  means,"  I  replied,  **  I  am  in  no  particular  hurry  ; 
,— let  him  have  the  first  fire  if  he  will.  Even  after  you, 
Captain  Geraghty,  1  shall  be  quite  in  time." 

"  Did  you  ever  hear  of  such  an  audacious  scoundrel  ?" 
rejoined  the  captain.     *'  Did  you  remark  what  he  says  of 
me  and  the  establishment  without  the  barriers  ?     And  thea 
to  put  a  note  of  admiration,  as  if  there  was  any  thing  admi- , 
rable  in  it  at  all," 

"  Who  is  the  author  of  this  scandal  ?"  vociferated  Sir 
Brieo»  throwing  the  paper  on  the  ground,  and  stamping  vio- 
lently on  it.  *'  Do  you  know,  Geraghty  ?  If  so,  point  him 
out  to  me  this  instant,  and  I  shall  be  revenged.  Here  am  I 
and  my  family  held  up  to  public  ridicule  and  contempt ! 
D n  the  villain,  I  must,  I  will  punish  him  for  this  !" 

The  rage  of  the  baronet  was  now  worked  up  to  the  high- 
est possible  pitch  ;  but  I  had  too  much  trouble  and  annoy- 
ance of  my  own  to  spare  an  atom  of  consolation  for  my 
friend.  Indeed,  my  feelings  on  this  occasion  fuiiy  satisfied 
jpae,  that  to  administer  comfort  or  relief  to  the  bosom  of  ano- 
ther, your  own  must  be  free  from  sorrow  or  vexation,  other- 
wise you  will  pluy  the  part  of  comforter  as  poorly  as  I  did 
with  Sir  Brien,  In  such  a  case,  a  good  plan  would  be  to 
hire  some  one  to  sympathize  in  the  affliction,  whatever  it 
may  be,  much  in  the  same  way  that  we  pay  old  women  in 
Ireland  for  howling  over  the  dead.  Had  this  rascally  editor 
spared  me,  I  should  have  bled  for  Sir  Brien,  preached  him 
a  long  lecture  on  bearance  and  forbearance,  advised  him  to 
jreat  with  contempt  whatever  any  fellow  of  the  sort  might 
uzy  about  him,  and,  in  short,  rendered  him  every  consolation 
in  my  ))ower ;  bnt,  unfortunately,  I  was  as  much  cut  up, 
though  not  quite  so  violently  as  himself^  ajad  was  in  ao  mood 
to  open  my  lips. 


8CEN£S   IN    PARIS. 


48 


siferated  Sir 


Miss  O'Flaherty  now  entered,  and  removing  the  nearly- 
crushed  paper  from  the  floor,  chanced  to  throw  her  glance 
on  that  part  of  the  paragraph  which  related  more  immedi- 
ately  to  herself.  After  enjoying  for  a  few  moments  the 
dainty  repast  so  liberally  furnished  by  the  Boulogne  editor, 
she  commenced  tossing  her  head  and  muttering  something 
about  the  great  misfortune^of  travelling  with  people  who,  by 
their  misconduct,  contrive  to  draw  down  public  ridicule  on 
their  innocent  companions.  She  moreover  hinted  her  regret 
at  not  having  a  friend  possessed  of  spirit  enough  to  redresg 
the  wrongs  of  an  insulted  female. 

Observing  that  I  sat  facing  her,  twirling  my  thumbs 
round  each  other,  and  apparently  quite  calm  and  composed, 
my  supposed  apathy  gave  her  great  offence  and  uneasiness  ; 
and  with  a  toss  of  the  head,  more  disdainful  than  any  she 
had  yet  exhibited,  she  remarked  : 

"You  have  now,  Mr.  Morris,  an  excellent  opportunity  of 
gratifying  the  uncommon  eagerness  you  evinced  yesterday 
for  fighting."  ^  ^ 

"Have  you  read  the  whole  of  that  article  ?"  I  inquirsd. 

"  Part  of  it,"  was  her  answer. 

"When  you  have  read  the  whole,"  I  returned,  "you 
will  admit  that  I  have  had  quite  enough  of  fighting— at  least 
80  I  thmk  myself;  and  were  I  to  live  for  ever,  neither  man, 
woman,  nor  child,  should  induce  me  ^ver  to  fight  another 
duel  at  Boulogne."  ^ 

lu  "  ^?J®u"  ^^^  ^^'  ^*'"*®  breakfast,  Mr.  Morris  ?"  asked 
Miss  U  I'laherty,  somewhat  sarcastically,  perceivinff  that  I 
had  not  ye|  made  an  attempt  to  touch  any  thing. 

"  Not  any,  I  Oiank  you.  I  do  not  find  my  appetite  good 
Ais  morning.  You  seem  to  be  doing  nothing  yourself,  how- 
ever.  That  coffee  looks  very  clear ;  I  recommend  you  to 
ny  It.    Allow  me  also  to  send  you  a  wing  of  this  chicken 

eL  wTth  ^^"'n.  ^^  • .  ^^"'  '  ^^""«*  «*y  *hat  you  seem  to 
rfi.^w  *  ^"^  *PP®'*\®  yourself,  yet  all  manner  of  deUca^ 
cies  that  can  provoke  the  appetite  ax«  before  you." 


44 


FRASCATIS  OR 


♦'  Delicacies,  indeed,"  repeated  Miss  O'Flaherty,  with  a 
movement  of  impatience ;  "  I  think  some  of  them  mighthave 
been  dispensed  with." 

"  I  perfectly  agree  with  you ;  we  have  been  rather  libe- 
rally helped  this  morning." 

"  Yes,  Mr.  Morris,  you  at  least  seem  to  have  got  more 
than  you  well  know  haw  to  dispose  of." 

I  confess  it,  Miss  O'Flaherty,  I  confess  it  freely,  yet  the 
surfeit,  I  apprehend,  is  pretty  general." 

Hazard  now  entered,  ushering  in  a  gentleman,  whom  he 
introduced  to  us  as  the  editor  of  the .     "  Gentle- 
men," said  the  latter,  bowing  at  every  third  word,  "  I  am 
sorry,  very  sorry  indeed,  to  learn  from  my  most  worthy 
friend,  Mr.  Hazard,  a  gentleman  of  whose  acquaintance  any 
man  must  be  proud  :  I  say,  gentlemen,  I  am  exceedingly 
sorry  to  learn  that  any  thing  should  have  crept  into  a  publi- 
cation, with  which  I  have  the  honour  to  be  connected,  that 
could  in   the  slightest  degree  wound  the  feelings  of  the 
highly  respectable  individuals  whom  I  have  now  the  honour 
tb  address.     The  fact  is,  gentlemen,  I  was  out  of  town,  and 
knew  nothing  of  the  article  in  question,  until  I  had  the  plea- 
sure of  being  waited  upon  by  my  much  esteemed  friend 
here,  Mr.  Hazard,  who,  to  my  great  surprise,  and  most  sin- 
cerely do  I  add,  to  ray  regret,  put  the  paper  into  my  hand. 
It  was  the  first  intimation  I  had  of  it,  and  you  may  judge 
my  indignation  when  I  discovered  that  my  friends  Captain 
Geraghty  and  Mr.  Hazard  were  so  unbecomingly  alluded 
to.     Gentlemen,  command  my  services,  and  whatever  re- 
paration you  may  deem  most  fit  shall  be  made.     I  will  find 
out  the  author  of  this  shameful  slander  and  have  him  dis- 
missed from  the  establishment." 

"  Very  well,"  cried  the  baronet ;  "  but  do  not  forget,  Mr. 
Editor,  to  contradict  the  damnable  libel  in  your  next  publica- 
tion." 

**  Most  certainly,"  returned  the  obsequious  framer  of  pa- 
ragraphs. "  Surely  you  cannot  imagine,  my  dear  sir,  that  I 
should  be  guilty  of  so  culpable  an  omission,  or  suffer  such 


SCENES   IN   PARIS. 


41 


an  article  to  remain  abroad  without  contradiction  ?  Not  I,  in- 
deed,  sir.  It  would  be  the  height  of  injustice,  especially  in 
a  publication  so  widely  circulated  as  ours,  and  bearing  so 
high  a  reputation  for  candour,  spirit,  and  impartiality  ;  for 
no  journal,  even  of  the  English  metropolitan  press,  ranks 
higher  in  that  respect.  No,  sir,  waving  every  consideraiion 
of  honour  and  character,  conscience  alone  would  not  allow, 
me  to  pass  unrefuted  a  paragraph,  wherein  a  gentleman  of 
your  importance  and  respectability  is  so  scandalously  belied, 
and  indeed  even  had  you  not  spoken  to  me  on  the  subject  I 
should  have  contradicted  it  myself." 

We  were  all  of  course  perfectly  satisfied  with  this  expla- 
nation on  the  part  of  the  editor,  and  I  was  happy  to  see  a 
gentleman  of  his  place  in  society  exculpate  himself,  so  much 
to  his  own  credit  and  to  the  general  satisfaction  of  the  party 
aggrieved.  Geraghty  promised  to  pay  attention  to  the  ful- 
filment of  the  editors's  engagement,  and  here  the  affair  te^ 
fninated, 


46 


>  FRASCATIS  ;   OR 


'a  . 


CHAPTER  VII. 


'  i 


At  length  we  are  out  of  that  unlucky  Boulogne,  and 
most  unfavourably  am  I  seated  for  one  about  to  entertain  the 
world  with  his  tour  into  France.     Stuck  up  in  the  interieur 
of  the  diligence,  with  my  back  to  the  horses,  my  view  of 
the  country  is  all  the  wrong  way,  and  for  aught  I  know,  my 
observations  along  the  road  may  partake  of  a  similar  contor- 
tion.    One  advantage,  however,  I  decidedly  have  over  the 
many  thousand  tourists  who  have  preceded  me  from  Bou- 
logne to  Paris,  since  their  sketches  were  in  all  probability 
made  from  the  straight  forward  view  which  they  embraced, 
whereas  mine  per  contra  have  a  better  claim  to  originality. 
Emily  and  her  aunt  occupied  the  coupee  with  Sir  Brien. 
My  companions  within,  were  the  dancing-master  Bougie, 
and  the  ironical  gentleman  with  whom  I  had  travelled  to 
Dover,  and  a  swaddling  preacher,  whose  wife  sat  at  my  side, 
presenting  a  singular  contrast  in  her  care-worn  features  and 
meagre  frame  to  the  fleshy  proportions  of  her  husband. 

"  What  a  charming  country  is  France  !'*  observed  the 
preacher,  as  we  passed  the  outskirts  of  Boulogne,  "  and 
what  a  pity  it  is  that  so  rich  a  soil  should  be  overrun  with 
the  weeds  of  Popery  !  Look,"  he  continued  (for  it  was  Sun- 
day) **  how  they  profane  the  sabbath  in  every  direction  ;— 
jsee  there !  all  at  work !  how  awfully  depraved  !" 

Bougie  began  to  wax  a  little  warm  at  hearing  his  covin- 1 


CfiNES   IN   PARIS.  4t 

trymen  and  native  land  thus  coupled  with  dispraise.     He, 
however,  did  not  give  immediate  expression  to  his  feelings, 

and  the  ironical  gentleman  very  quietly  observed, 

"  How  is  it  then,  sir,  that  you,  who  entertain  so  natural 
and  praiseworthy  a  horror  of  these  profane  sabbath-breakers, 
can  do  such  violence  to  your  feelings  as  to  travel  on  Sun- 
day ?" 

"  Nothing,"  puritanically  rejoined  the  other,  »*  but  the 
ardent  hope  of  gaining  a  soul  to  heaven  could  have  induced 
me  to  do  so.  An  old  lady,  now  residing  in  Paris,  is  in  a 
very  precarious  state  of  health ;  she  has  had  the  misfortune 
to  become  acquainted  with  one  of  those  insinuating,  pocket- 
drammg  abbes,  who  is  not  only  endeavouring  to  shake  her 
faith  in  the  true  religion,  but  to  wheedle  her  into  a  consent 
to  entrust  her  vast  wealth  to  his  pious  management  for  the 
benefit  of  the  poor.  A  great  deal  indeed  the  poor  would 
get  of  it  m  that  case  !  But  I  shall  take  care  of  their  inte- 
rests, if  she  will  but  listen  to  my  humble  voice.  She  once 
had  grace,  and  was  a  liberal  supporter  of  the  true  belief; 
and  lor  this  reason  only,  and  out  of  mere  charity  and  anxiety 
tor  her  salvation,  am  I  now  hurrying  to  Paris." 

"A  truly  pious  and  excellent  disciple  of  religion,"  pur- 
si^d  the  ironical  genUeman,  "  to  come  so  far  on  so  kind  an 
ottice,  and  that  without  any  expectation  or  desire  of  remu- 
neration." 

"  We  never  suffer  ourselves  to  be  swayed  by  consider- 
ations of  lucre,"  returned  the  missionary:  «  we  are  but  la- 
bourers in  the  vineyard  of  heaven,  and  thence  alone  do  we 
seek  our  reward." 

fj J,*  ^^^\^^^^.  ^^^'  doubtless,  exposed  herself  to  the  fa. 
I  hSven  "         J°"'*^^5^»  ^'***"^  *  ^i^«  zeal  in  the  interests  of 

"  Truly,  friend,  she  has  its  welfare  at  heart ;  but  I  make 

nrLS     Tr  ^  ^^'^^^  "^"^  "^y  wife-.»tis  a  wholesome 
practice  and  keeps  a  man  from  sin.     But  see  ihere,"'  he 

fovT. !  '  P?'"^i"^  ^  ^  ^"""'^  ^y  ^^^  "^oad-side  where  some 
ijoyous  rustic  dancers  ^r^irp  -^mnf^mtf  «h«mRAtvo^    a  [^  „oj 


48 


VRASCATl  6  ;    Oil 


that  abominable  ?  Behold  what  unholy  caperings  th086 
thoughtless  people  are  practising  on  the  sabbath.  I  would 
excommunicate  every  one  of  these  strolling  dancing  mas- 
ters, who  teach  unto  youth  these  blood-heating  exercises, 
causing  their  passions  to  be  excited  even  unto  the  sinning 
against  heaven.  We  have,  I  am  sorry  to  say,  too  many  of 
them  in  our  own  country ;  and  morals  must  ever  degenerate 
until  dancing  and  dancing-masters  are  banished  from  so- 
ciety." 

"  Sir,  sir,"  vociferated  Bougie,  who  had  with  difficulty 
restrained  himself  until  now, — "  allow  me  to  tell  you,  sir, 
that  1  think  d — d  little,  sir,  of  you  or  your  opinion  in  re* 
gard  to  my  profession.  'Tis  enough,  sir,  to  drive  a  man 
mad  to  hear  a  canting  mass  of  brutality  like  you,  condemn 
an  accomplishment  of  which  you  have  not  genius  sufficient 
to  judge,  and  which  you  have  neither  figure,  grace,  nor 
gentility  to  enable  you  to  attain.  Now,  sir,  once  for  all,  I 
tell  you  that  if  I  hear  another  word  derogatory  to  my  cour.*' 
try  (for  you  see  I  am  French,)  or  if  you  attempt  to  cast  any 
reflection  on  the  noble  science,  in  which  we  stand  unrivallea, 
I  will  chastise  you — yes,  horsewhip  you,  sir  ;  for  you  are 
too  much  beneath  my  notice  to  merit  that  I  should  meet 
you  as  a  gentleman." 

"  Why,  you  contemptible  merry  Andrew,"  retorted  the 
swaddler  furiously,  for  Bougie's  last  remark  made  him  en- 
tirely forget  the  gravity  of  his  calling,  **  were  I  even  mad 
enough  to  forget  the  dignity  of  my  character  and  fight  a 
duel,  do  you  think  it  would  be  with  a  dancing  master  ?" 

This  was  a  reply  to  which  Bougie  could  not  immediately 
find  an  appropriate  rejoinder,  but  though  his  flippancy  fail- 
ed him,  his  courage  did  not,  and  a  tremendous  blow  on  the 
nose  of  the  missionary  announced  the  opening  of  hostilities. 

The  preacher;  recovering  from  his  first  surprise,  returned 
the  compliment,  and  a  furious  scuffle  ensued.  The  coach 
Etoppedv  and  with  much  trouble  the  combatants  were  sepa- 
rated by  the  postillion  and  conducteur.  The  ironical  gentle- 
man and  myself,  not  feeling  ourselves  called  on  to  interfere) 


SCENES    IN   PARIS. 


40 


had  jnmped   out  at  the  commencement  of  the  pugilistio 
contest* 

When  we  resumed  our  places  peace  had  been  restored, 
as  far  as  the  hands  of  the  belligerents  were  concerned. 
Their  tongues,  however,  still  continued  to  perform  their 
duty.  Jjougie's  face  was  unmarked,  but  his  hair  was  sadly 
dishevelled,  and  bore  good  proof  of  the  adtivity  with  which 
the  preacher's  help-mate  had  used  her  hands  in  support  of 
her  spouse,  who,  having  lost  much  blood,  and  exhibiting 
two  eyes  fearfully  blockened,  appeared  to  have  come  on 
second  best  in  the  skirmish. 

"  I  suppose,"  said  he,  it  is  useless  to  expect  redress  from 
the  laws  of  this  country;  a  man  of  my  calling  may  look 
in  vain  for  justice  here,  particularly  when  his  complaint  is 
made  against  a  Papist." 

♦♦  I  am  no  Papist,"  returned  Boufrie  warmly,  as  if  the 
imputation  of  Popery  detracted  fronj  his  chnracter.  "J\o, 
sir,  I  move  in  the  hig;  est  circles  in  England,  and  among 
them  Popery  is  considered  neither  a  polite  nor  a  respectable 
religion  for  a  gentleman." 

*'I  never  imagined,"  replied  the  preacher  sneeringly, 
"  that  his  Britannic  majesty's  subjects  were  very  particular 
about  the  religion  of  the  dancing  masters  they  employ." 

"  No  wonder,"  retorted  his  adversary,  "  thai  you  should 
be  ignorant  of  the  opinions  of  a  class  of  society  into  which 
you  can  never  hope  to  obtain  admittance." 

"  Neither  could  you,"  angrilly  exclaimed  the  swaddler, 
"  except  in  the  lowest  of  all  occupations." 

The  conducteur  put  a  stop  to  this  very  delightful  dialogue 
by  opening  the  door  of  the  vehicle,  and  entreating,  as  a 
favor,  tl.at  we  would  walk  up  the  steep  hill  of  Mo'ntreuil. 
Sir  Brien  had  already  alighted,  and  was  anorillv  addressing 
the  beggars  by  whom  he  was  beset.  Finding''them  insen- 
sible to  his  mutterings  and  cursings,  he  occasionally  directed 
an  attack  through  the  coupee  window  against  his  sister,  to 
whose  rage  for  travelling  and  seeing  foreign  sights  he  attri- 
buted all  his  perplexities.     Neither  did  his  annoyances  ter- 

TOL.  I. E 


60 


FRASCATIS;    OR 


minate  here.  He  had  locked  up  his  passport  in  his  trunks 
and  Montreutl  being  a  fortified  town,  it  was  of  course  ne^ 
cessary  to  produce  it.  Miss  O'Flaherty  declared,  and  pour 
cause,  that  she  could  not  find  hers,  and  much  confusion  and 
idtercation  took  place  in  consequence. 

'*  D n  France,"  exclaimed  Sir  Brien,  turning  to  me 

in  a  fit  of  impatience.  •♦  What  the  devil  induced  me  to 
visit  it  at  all  ?  Why,  a  gentleman  travelling  through  this  in- 
fernal country,  is,  like  a  puncheon  of  whiskey  in  Ireland, 
every  moment  in  danger  of  being  s«ized  unless  he  has  a 
permit  pasted  on  his  back.  I  hate  the  French,"  he  pursued 
bitterly,  as  he  attempted  to  rout  a  regiment  of  beggars  by 
whom  he  wns  surrounded,  "  they  are  so  like  the  Irish,  al- 
ways prefacing  their  petition  with  a  sigh.  It  seems  a  fine 
language  for  begging,  and  since  I  have  been  in  their  coun- 
try I  have  scarcely  heard  a  fellow  open  his  lips  without  ut- 
tering a  *  donnez  moi.* " 


•0£N£8    IN    PAElf. 


HI 


CHAPTER  VIII. 


We  stopped  at  Abbeville  to  dine.  It  was  the  first  sample 
Sir  Brien  hA  of  a  French  dinner,  and  one  that  was  not 
very  likely  to  make  him  enamoured  of  foreign  cookery. 

"  I  find  my  appetite  uncommonly  keen,"  he  said,  as  we 
entered  the  salle  d  manger. 

A  bowl  of  salad  was  before  the  seat  into  which  he  threw 
himself,  on  his  right  hand  was  some  bouilli  done  to  rags, 
and  in  a  saucer  at  his  left  a  piece  of  roast  beef  wholly  un- 
encumbered with  fat. 

"  Hang  France,"  he  muttered,  ♦hen  looking  discontent- 
edly at  his  sister,—  "  I  have  onl)  ^  ou  to  thank  for  all  this." 

Bougie  was  busily  employed  on  a  stew,  yet,  though  he 
seemed  anxious  that  we  should  believe  him  to  b  enraptur- 
ed with  the  bonne  chere  of  liis  countrymen,  it  was  evident, 
from  the  delicacy  with  w  lich  he  handled  it,  that  he  would 
have  had  no  objection  to  any  other  dish  in  its  place. 

"  'Tis  delicious,"  he  exclaimed,  pushing  it  from  before 
him — "  I  advise  any  one  to  try  it." 

Meanwhile  his  reverence  kept  walking  up  and  down  the 
room,  throwing  a  hawk-like  glance  at  the  viands,  and  appa- 
rently in  doubt  whetlier  he  should  partake  of  them  or  not. 
The  entrance  of  a  roasted  turkey  determined  him  at  length 
to  join  us. 

"  I  should  like  to  know,"  he  observed,  sitting  down  be- 
side ills  wife,  "  what  they  charge  for  dinner  here."  , 


52 


FRASCATIS;   OR 


**  Very  moderate  indeed,"  said  the  ironical  gentleman. 
*'  Allow  me  to  send  you  some  soup.  Perhaps  the  lady  near 
you  will  tstke  some?" 

**  Oh  no,"  criied  the  preacher  hastily,  "  she  never  eats  on 
the  roacf.  Moreover,  she  is  U4iwell,  and  I  know  it  will  be 
bad  for  her.     However,  I  will  trouble  you.  It'  you  please." 

While  engaged  with  his  soup  a  la  Julienne,  the  svvaddler 
kept  an  anxious  eye  on  the  turkey,  which,  owing  to  the 
bountiful  and  somewhat  rapid  distribution  of  the  ironical 
gentleman,  was  already  fast  disappearing. 

"Pray,  sir,  have  the  kindness  to  keep  some  of  it  for  me," 
he  at  length  rem-arked. 

"  I  am  afraid  you  are  too  late,"  replied  the  other,  putting 
the  last  piece  upon  his  own  plate. 

The  preacher  seemed  highly  incenf<ed  at  finding  nothing 
left  for  him  but  the  ragged  bouilli,  and  as  he  devoured  this, 
his  half  famished  wife  looked  longingly  in  his  face.  We 
called  for  more  wine,  which  he  would  not  taste,  though  he 
kept  dropping  into  her  lap  the  best  of  llie  dessert.  This 
did  not  escape  the  attention  of  the  ironical  gentleman,  who 
ordered  in  a  fresh  supply  of  fruit,  telling  the  waiter,  in 
French,  of  the  misapplication  of  the  former  dessert,  and 
desiring  him  to  set  it  down  in  a  separate  bill  to  the  account 
of  his  reverence.  JNotwitstanding  this,  however,  we  were 
eharged  equally  for  the  dinner—six  francs  each. 

♦*  Shameful !"  exclaimed  the  preacher.  "  Why  should 
I  pay  as  much  as  those  who  have  taken  wine?  I  have  not 
touched  a  drop." 

**  That  was  your  own  fault,"  observed  our  president ; 
**  the  wine  was  there  if  you  had  chose  to  take  it." 

"Moreover,  I  have  had  no  turkey,"  pursued  the  disap- 
pointed swaddler,  "  and  1  will  not  pay  it, — tell  them  that  I 
ha\e  neither  wine  nor  turkey." 

"  Tell  them  yourself,'*  said  the  ironical  gentleman. 

"  I  don't  speak  French,"  thundered  the  preacher. 

"  I  am  sorry  for  it,"  returned  the  ironical  gentleman,  "but 
I  am  no  interpreter.'* 


BCIBNES  m  PARIS. 


69 


**  Do  not  encourage  them  in  so  exorbitant  a  charge,'* 
pursued  the  preacher,  addressing  the  company  as  we  drew 
forth  our  purses.  "  I  don't  care  about  myself,  but  it  esta- 
blishes a  bad  precedent,  and  will  only  induce  them  to  im- 
pose on  future  travellers." 

»'Let  the  travellers  take  care  of  themselves,"  cried  the 
ironical  gentleman,  "  that  is  no  affair  of  ours." 

We  now  moved  off,  leaving  his  reverence  in  a  warm  dis*- 
pute  with  the  hdtesne.  Words  ran  high,  but  as  gestures 
alone  were  intelligible  between  the  parties,  the  B'renchwoman 
had,  evidently  the  best  of  it. 

"How  delighted  I  am,"  exclaimed  the  baronet,  "to  see 
that  gormandizing  swaddler  punklied  in  this  manner  for  his 
meanness !  Did  you  remark  that  he  would  not  permit  his  un- 
fortunate wife  to  touch  a  morsel  ? — See  what  he  is  about 


now. 


ii 


We  looked  through  a  window  of  the  salle  i  manger,  and 
beheld  him  searching  the  empty  bottles  for  wine,  which 
he  had  been  compelled  to  pay  for  without  having  tasted  a 
drop. 

I'  What  is  your  opinion  of  that  Champagne,"  asked  Sir 
Brien,  as  he  at  length  came  from  the  room,  *'  was  it  not  de- 
licious ?" 

"You  ought  to  know  best,  who  drank  it  at  my  cost,"  re- 
replied  the  hapless  preacher,  hurrying  by  with  an  air  of 
<leep  mortification  and  disappointment. 


e2 


u 


TRASCATIS;   OR 


CHAPTER  IX. 


I 


On  our  arrival  in  Paris  we  made  choice  of  the  H6tel  de  Lon- 
dres,  where  we  were  furnished  with  excellent  apartments,  and 
had,  moreover,  the  satisfaction  of  sitting  down  to  a  dinner 
served  up  in  the  English  style.  Much  fatigued  with  their 
journey,  Miss  O'Flaherty  and  her  niece  retired  at  an  early 
hour  to  their  rooms,  when  Sir  Brien,  who  happily  for  my 
thirst  for  authorship,  had  a  most  wn-baronet  like  fancy  for 
table  d^hotes  and  similar  places  of  public  resort,  proposed 
joining  the  party  in  the  coffee  room.  To  this  I  readily 
assented.  We  were  accordingly  ushered  in  by  the  waiter, 
and  found  several  gentlemen  all'  in  high  spirits,  and  vocife- 
rously accompanying  an  old  Scotch  doctor  in  the  chorus, 

"  The  cock  may  crow, 
The  day  may  go, 
But  I  will  drink  my  barley  bree." 

The  doctor  had  tuned  his  feeUngs  to  the  highest  pitch  of 
national  enthusiasm,  and,  on  the  present  occasion,  seemed 
to  have  nobly  put  in  practice  the  burden  of  his  song.  While 
Sir  Brien  and  I  were  discussing  what  wine  we  should  have, 
the  Scotchman  interposed  his  advice. 

"  Gentlemen,"  he  said,  "  I  am  a  medical  man,  and  having 
had  the  honour  of  serving  many  years  on  board  of  one  of 
his  majesty's  ships,  ought  certainly  to  know  what  liquors 
are  best  adapted  to  British  constitutions.  I  therefore  recom- 
mend you  eau-de-vie,  as  the  only  safe  thing  to  drink  in  thi3 


■ 


SCENES    IN    PARIg. 


55 


country.  I  have  discovered  it  to  be  an  excellent  anli-spas- 
niodic,  wonderfully  improving  the  tone  of  the  stomach,  for 
which  reason  I  invariably  lake  some  of  it  on  going  to  bed. 
I  had  no  idea  that  there  was  so  wholesome  a  beveracre  in 
France.  At  first  I  apprehended  the  brandy  was  not  drmka- 
ble,  but  on  trial  found  it  so  excellent  that  I  am  now  perfectly 
reconciled  to  it."  ^ 

Sir  Brien  thanked  the  doctor  for  his  advice,  followed  his 
prescription,  and  declaring  it  to  be  quite  to  his  taste,  ob- 
served : — 

"You  have  some  excellent  whiskey  in  Scotland,  have 
you  not  V 

"  What !"  exclaimed  the  doctor  eagerly,  and  opening  his 
eyes  to  their  almost  dimensions,—"  good  whiskey  in  Scot- 
land,  sir  !  Is  that  all  you  know  about  it?  Why,  sir,  there 
is  not  such  whiskey  in  any  other  part  of  the  world  "' 

"How  very  si  .  ,4ar  then,"  observed  one  of  the  party 
with  a  malicious  "-/'thatyoucouldever  have  summoned 
resolution  to  quit  so  highly  gifted  a  country !" 

"  It  was  against  my  inclination,  sir,  that  I  did  so  "  re- 
joined the  doctor.  "I  was  obliged  to  visit  France  fo-  ♦'  ^  im- 
provement of  my  health.  Change  of  air  was  ^  .o»utelv 
necessary  for  me  ;  besides,  I  wished  to  visit  the  French  hos- 
pitals, and  improve  their  system  of  surgery,  if  possible  It 
IS  my  intention  to  make  them  acquainted  with  many  parti- 
culars of  the  profession  which  are  now  totally  unknown  to 
them.  I  am^considered,"  he  pursued,  taking  up  his  ajass 
in  his  right  hand,  to  which  his  partiality  for  the  *  barley 
bree  had  given  a  perpetual  tremor,—"  I  am  considered  the 
very  best  operator  in  Europe,  particularly  in  cases  where 
extreme  anatomical  nicety  is  requisite,  and  am  engao-ed  to 
perform  an  operation  at  the  Hotel  Dieu  to-morrow,  for  the 

Here  our  attention  was  called  off  from  the  doctor  by  the 
loud  and  angry  declamation  of  an  English  Methodist,  who 
was  bitterly  reprobating  the  immorality  and  shamelessness  of 
the  French.  Some  of  the  engravings  in  the  windows  of  the 
pnnt-shops  seemed  particularly  to  call  forth  his  virtuous 


56 


FRASCATIS;    OR 


indignation  ;  suclij  for  instance,  as  the  interviews  of  Cupid 
and  Psyche  ;  of  Hero  and  Leander,  and  other  characters  of 
heathen  story.  In  fact,  he  seemed  desirous  of  having  every 
statue  in  the  Low  re  invested  w^ith  proper  costume. 

The  orator  now  began  to  enumerate  the  various  advan- 
tages which  would  attend  an  universal  dissemination  of  the 
Scriptures  throughout  Fiance,   when  a  young  gentleman 
started  up  near  him  to  give  his  friends  an  imitation  of  Ma- 
thews as  Jonathan  in  England,  which  he  hit  off  with  such 
spirit,  and  so  like  the  original,  as  to  elicit  shouts  of  applause, 
and  put  polemics  and  physic  out  of  fashion  for  the  remainder 
of  the  evening.     The  Methodist  made  several  attempts  to 
renew  his  discourse,  but,  as  no  one  appeared  inclined  to 
listen  to  him,  he  was  at  last  compelled  to  desist.     The  doc- 
tor, too,  was  confined  to  a  few  dissentient  remarks,  in  answer 
to  a  dandified  looking  gentleman  who  styled  himself  Major 
Nimbleton,  and  who  was  now  pompously  holding  forth  in 
favour  of  Spurzheim  and  phrenology.     The  baronet  joined 
with  the  doctor  in  maintaining  the  fallacy  of  such  a  theory, 
and  being  somewhat  annoyed  at  a  contradiction  given  him 
by  the  major,  whose  affectation  and  spiciness  of  manner  had, 
moreover,  provoked  his  dislike,  he  nbw  bluntly  observed,-— 
"I  deny  that  such  a  system  can  have  any  foundation  in 
truth.     Do  you  pretend  to  say,  major,  that  you  can  tell  my 
disposition  from  certain  bumps  on  my  head,  or  that  you  can 
even  guess  at  my  passing  thoughts  ?     For  instance,  can  you 
determine  whether  I  consider  you  a  coxcomb  or  a  gentle- 


man 


rr 


With  the  most  perfect  sar.g-froid  the  major  smilingly  re- 
plied, *'  I  do  not  niean  to  say  that  this  science  enables  me 
to  tell  your  passing  thoughts  exactly,  hui  your  disposition 
ii  assuredly  does.  Allow  me,  however,  to  examine  your 
head,  and  if  I  do  not  discover  your  true  character  from 
whatever  bumps  I  may  find  there,  then  I  will  candidly  ac- 
knowledge that  the  system  is  absurd." 

Sir  Brien,  after  some  little  hesitation,  consented  to  the 
experiment,  and  removing  his  wig  suffered  the  major  to  pro- 
ceed with  his  examination. 


SCENES   IN   PARIS. 


57 


Aa  ill-suppressed  titter  ran  around  the  room ;  and,  in- 
deed, It  would  have  been  difficult  not  to  have  been  amused 
at  the  anxiety  evinced  by  the  baronet,  who,  with  his  bald 
head  mclosed  m  Nimbleton's  grasp,  seemed  to  fear  at  every 
turn  given  to  it  by  the  phrenologist,  that  the  bump  of  some 
superior  quality  might  not  be  discovered.  After  proceeding 
with  great  gravity  for  some  time,  he  at  length,  and  with  an 
air  of  deep  reflection,  announced  the  result  of  his  examina- 
tion. 

"  You  are  a  man  of  vast  courage,"  he  observed,  with  an 
air  of  confidence,  "  one  who  prudently  shuns  danger,  but 
shrinks  not  from  it  when  it  meets  or  overtakes  him." 

"Proceed !"  exclaimed  Sir  Briea,  in  evident  admiration 
at  the  wonderful  attainments  of  the  major. 

"You  are  possessed  of  extraordinary  quickness  in  dis- 
criminating character;  nothing  can  reconcile  you  to  one 
whom  intuition  or  first  impulse  whispers  to  you  is  vile,  and 
your  generosity  is  unlimited  to  whomsoever  is,  by  these 
inlalhble  tests,  proved  worthy  of  your  esteem  and  friend- 
snip. 

Sir  Brien  now  resumed  his  wig,  and  nodded  acquiescence 
m  the  truth  of  the  observation. 

"You  are  blessed  with  much  wit  and  chaste  humour," 
pursued  the  major ;  "  but  find  no  pleasure  in  abstruse  stu- 
dies wherein  the  mind  is  cramped,  and  brilliant  fancy  pre- 
vented from  soanng  aloft  among  its  own  creations.  You 
are  also  much  attached  to  the  society  of  the  fair  sex,  and 
must  be  a  great  favourite,  and  universaUy  successful  among  ' 

"  Wonderfi  '  !"  exclaimed  the  baronet.     "Is  not  that 
last  remark  trne,  Morris  ?     'Tis  really  wonderful,  sir,"  ad- 
dressing the  major,  "how  you  could  so  correctly  have  dis- 
covered ray  disposition  !  You  have  certainly  described  it  to  ^ 
tSmgi-  "^^  '^  ''  quite  ama^iing,  perplexing,  as. 

ih^A  ^*"-®°  "^^  confessed  himself  a  complete  convert  to 
tne  doctrine,  and,  notwithstanding  his  late  strong  dislike 
lor  ine  major,  in  the  profoundness  of  hi«  nrlmJrQfmti  f^r  hJa 


58 


FRASCATIS;    OR 


phrenologujal  talents  he  whispered  in  ray  ear,  *'  My  dear 
Morris,  is  not  that  the  most  surprisingly  clever  fellow  you 
ever  knew  ?" 

As  it  was  now  growing  late,  most  of  the  party  had  re- 
tired ;  but  Sir  Brien  found  the  society  of  his  new  friend, 
the  major,  so  agreeable,  that  he  could  not  think  of  relin- 
quishing it.  The  latter,  in  his  turn,  seemed  in  no  way  in- 
chned  to  lose  sight  of  the  advantage  he  had  gained,  but 
throwing  himself  into  a  chair  at  the  side  of  the  baronet,  he 
said  in  a  voice  that  could  not  be  overheard  by  any  others  of 
the  party ; — 

"  I  feel  but  too  happy,  my  dear  sir,  at  the  opportunity 
which  has  been  thus  afforded  me  of  procuiing  the  pleasure 
of  your  acquaintance  ;  for  my  acknowledged  skill  in  phre- 
nology has  given  me  a  clearer  insight  intofyour  character, 
than  I  possibly  could  have  obtained  had  I  studied  it  for 
years.  I  am  delighted  at  this  circumstance,  since  it  has 
enabled  me  to  form  an  acquaintance  of  which  I  shall  be 
proud.  There  are  few  people  in  Paris  whom  1  visit,  al- 
though some  of  my  friends  are  the  first  personages  in  it; 
but  I  always  prefer  the  society  of  talented  men  like  your- 
self:— I  beg  pardon,  my  dear  sir,  but  you  perceive  candour 
is  my  chief  fault.  I  am  but  too  apt  to  express  my  opinion 
of  men,  without  reflecting  that  praise  should  never  be 
spoken  in  presence  of  its  object.  At  the  same  time  how- 
ever, while  I  admit  that  1  am  somewhat  prone  to  fall  into 
this  error,  I  must  in  justice  to  myself  add,  that  when  I  do 
not  like  a  man,  1  cannot  sit  in  his  company  without  letting 
him  know  it.  You  see  here,''  he  pursued,  pulling  out  a 
packet  of  letters,  then  selecting  one,  "  this  is  from  my  re- 
lation, Lord  S ;  read  it ; — a  very  neat  hand,  is  it  not? 

Here,  also,  is  one  from  Lord  G ,  and  another  from  my 

old  friend,  the  Duke  of  O ,  inviting  me  to  dinner  to- 
morrow. I  shall,  however,  send  an  apology  to  both,  for  I 
do  not  much  care  about  dining  with  these  great  folks.  I 
ever  feel  myself  more  independent  and  at  home  in  the  so- 
ciety of  a  few  select  friends  ;  and  as  I  certainly  prefer  yours 

0  that  of  the  duke,  I  shall  make  it  a  point  to  decline  his 


( 


SCENES    IN   PAKta* 


69 


inritation.  Yes,  yes,'»  after  a  momenfs  pause,  during 
which  he  seemed  buried  in  profound  reflection  on  this  mo- 
mentous  subject,  » I  shall  dine  with  you  to-morrow,  and 
we  shall  have  the  happiness  of  spending  the  day  together." 
This  very  flattering  preference  was,  of  course,  a  source 
of  extreme  gratihcation  to  the  baronet,  who'  however,  was 
polite  enough  to  request,  that  his  new  friend  would  not  re- 
linquish his  engagement  with  his  royal  acquaintance  for  any 
pleasure  that  he  might  find  in  his  own  society ;  but  no  re- 
monstrances  could  afl^ect  the  resolution  of  Nimbleton,  who 
folliwin    da  positively  dine  with  Sir  Brien  on  the' 

th,C  m^ft  "'''^  ^^*  "t  P"/  '^  'K^  *^  '^^  ^"^"^^y  discussion  of 
this  ma  ter  over  a  bottle  of  Madeira,"  uro-ed  the  maior    in 

condusion  "  They  have  some  very 'excellent  !u  thTs  &:» 
ine  waiter  was  now  summoned,  and  ordered  by  Nim- 
bleton  to  bring  a  bottle  of  the  very  best  Madeira  the  houTe 
could  supply  He  received  the  command  with  an  awk- 
ward sort  of  obeisance,  and  as  he  moved  slowly  towa^-ds 

he  door  looked  back  once  or  twice  with  an  expression  that 
seemed  to  say,  he  would  have  been  better  pleased  had  the 
order  been  given  by  any  other  person.  AfL  lingering  for 
a  moment  near  the  door,  and  finding  that  no  other  voL 
Zlr^sTiV''T'\V'''  -^J-'«^emand!  he  ci^^tt^ 
t!rit  fhl''- "'"''"  K  '"^  ^'^^"^  ^"^^""^  the  glasses,  clat- 
stm  fn  t^oom"*^  ^  "^^  "  ''  S'^^  intimation^hat  he  was 
"  What  is  the  reason,  sir,"  exclaimed  Nimbleton  turnina 

the  waiteT    ""^  ""'"'""""  '"  ^'"'  '"^  '''^'"  ^""^"^^  '«J«i"^d 

"bec^aL^'fol^^^^^^^  '"^"'^^^  th«  baronet, 

oecause,  lorsooth,  your  mistress  chooses  to  go  to  bed  and 

carry  the  keys  of  the  celler  with  her  ?"  ^  ' 

"*  r1?;k''';/?''^"  ^^""^  ^""y  ^»^'«  y«"  ^Ish  to  order.** 
Bnng  the  IVfadeira,  then,"  said  the  major. 

.      1  can't,'  returned  the  waiter.     «'  I  tell  vou  mv  mli.tr*.'. 
«  gone  to  bed,  and  I  dare  not  call  her."     ^     ^ 


60 


FRASUATIS;    0\ 


«* Bring  the  wine  instantly,  you  caitiff!"  thundered  Sir 
Brien.     "  Bring  it  without  a  moment's  delay,  sir!** 

•*  You  shall  have  it  directly,"  said  the  man ; — ^then  stop- 
ping half  way  between  the  table  and  the  door, — "  Is  it  for 
you,  sir,  that  I  am  to  bring  the  wine  ?" 

"  Certainly,"  rejoined  the  baronet. 

"  You  shall  have  it  instantly,"  replied  the  now  appa- 
rently satisfied  attendant. 

The  major  affected  not  to  notice  the  servant's  want  of 
alacrity  in  executing  his  commands,  but  hastily  turning  to 
Sir  Brien,  renewed  the  conversation  with  increased  volu- 
bility. He  was  evidently  anxious  that  we  should  not  dwell 
on  the  recent  scene,  since,  in  all  probability,  it  was  his 
policy  that  we  should  not  be  led  to  suppose  that  his  credit 
was  not  unlimited  in  the  hotel. 

I  could  not  refrain  from  smiling  at  the  pains  he  now  took 
to  divert  the  attention  of  Sir  Brien  in  particular,  from  the 
extreme  reluctance  manifested  by  the  waiter  to  comply  with 
his  order ;  and_at  once  inferred,  that  this  gentleman,  the 
great  phrenologist,  the  man  of  candour,  the  acquaintance  of 
the  first  personages  in  France,  the  dining  friend  of  the  Duke 

of  O ,  had  filled  up  a  certain  space  in  the  journal  of  the 

house,  which  the  proprietors,  considering  as  set  down  less 
to  "  profit"  than  to  "  loss,"  had  resolved  not  to  increase. 

The  bottle  of  Madeira  was  now  brought,  opened,  and 
finished,  when,  on  my  intimating  the  lateness  of  the  hour, 
we  separated  for  the  evening.  As  we  went  up  stairs,  Sir 
Brien  observed  with  an  air  of  exultation  while  he  grasped 
my  arm  tightly,  as  with  a  view  to  impress  his  words  more 
deeply  on  my  mind  ; — "  What  a  wonderfully  clever  fellow 
that  is,  Morris !  Did  you  not  remark  with  what  accuracy 
he  described  my  character  ?  He  must,  indeed,  be  a  man  of 
astonishing  abilities,  and  I  confess  I  have  taken  an  extra- 
ordinary liking  to  him." 

I  looked  in  the  face  of  my  friend,  smiled  mysteriously, 
shook  my  head,  wished,  him  a  good  night,  and  left  him  to 
dream  of  Nimbleton  and  phrenology. 


SCENES   IN  PARIS. 


61 


CHAPTER  X. 


Greatly  fatigued  with  my  journey,  I  was  never  better 
disposed  for  the  enjoyment  of!  good  night's  resl     I  "a 
not  however  long  m  bed,  when  I  heard  the  door  of  an^d 

Though  he  had  afforded  ample  cause  for  the  anser  nf  h;. 
wife,  he  now  recriminated  on  her  with  aU  the3ml  „f 
misrepresented    innocence.     The    matter    on    Zh^h    i, 
grounded  his  complaint  against  her  w"s.  whatTt  Mer  „^„' 
common  m  a  gambler  to  condemn  in  h  s  w^fe  iamelv  W 

!:tii7nr^t^''a';''t^s,!;&^^ 

fined  to  mere  words- for  in  ^lifT^f/''"*^?''^'^^  <^^»- 
Scarcely  had  the  morning  dawned  »vh-»  I  -y ^^    - 


62 


FRASCATi's;  om 


awakened  by  a  voice  in  another  adjoining  chamber  foppo- 
site  to  that  in  which  the  war  of  the  preceding  night  had  been 
waged,)  loudly  calling  out  "  neuf,  cinque,  quarante,  apr^, 
rouge  gagne,  couleur  perd,"  &c.  &c.  &c.  Unable  to  sleep, 
and  not  exactly  knowing  what  to  make  of  thnse  singular  ex- 
clamations, 1  jumped  out  of  bed,  and  resolved  to  gratify  my 
curiosity  through  the  key-hole  of  the  door. 

A  little  old  man,  in  spectacles,  whose  bald  head  was  co- 
vered with  a  black  silk  night-cap,  snt  at  a  table  in  the  centre 
of  the  room,  and  as  if  the  pursuit  in  which  he  was  engaged 
was  one  of  too  much  moment  to  allow  him  time  for  dressing, 
he  had  merely  drawn  on  his  small  clothes  over  his  shirt 
Before  him  were  five  or  six  packs  of  cards,  a  portion  of 
which,  that  is  to  say,  as  many  as  he  could  conveniently 
grasp,  was  in  his  hand.     As  he  threw  these  successively 
down  on  the  table,  he  would  now  and  then  exclaim  **  neuf, 
deux,  trois,"  or  whatever  other  number  it  might  happen  to 
prove.     At  his  elbow  he  had  a  single  card,  different  in  form 
and  appearance  from  the  others,  which  he   occasionally 
pricked  with  a  pin.     Nothing  could  exceed  the  anxiety  de- 
picted in  his  countenance  as  he  proceeded  with  his  work. 
Counting  in  one  instance  a  range  of  cards  which  he  had 
spread  on  the  table,  his  eyes  beamed  with  satisfaction  and 
delight  as  he  repeated  the  word  '*  neuf."     He  then  placed 
another  range  under  those  he  had  previously  dealt,  when 
suddenly  exclaiming  "  quarante — rouge  paye— oh !  sacre 
nom  ....  !"  he  threw  himself  back  in  his  chair,  and  with 
one  kick  overthrew  the  table,  and  scattered  cards  and  every 
thing  else  about  the  room.    In  the  next  instant  he  leaped 
on  his  feet,  and  with  folded  arms,  muttering  oaths  and  bit^ 
ing  his  lips,  he  walked  to  and  fro  like  one  bereft  of  reason. 
At  length  he  stopped,  apparently  wrapt  in  thought,  and  plac- 
ing his  back  against  the  wall,  remained  fixed  in  a  musing  at- 
titude.   In  the  fervent  hope  that  he  would  continue  rooted 
there  for  the  next  three  hours  at  least,  I  returned  to  my  bed. 
I  was  quite  at  a  loss  in  regard  to  the  motive  of  the  old  man's 
labours,  but  being  more  sleepy  than  curious,  had  no  time  to 
unravel  the  mvsterv.    I  was  just  getting  into  a  comfortable 


SCENES    TN   PARIS. 


63 


doze,  when  my  ears  were  again  greeted  with  "  neufs"  and 
"  quarantes."  Leaping  out  of  bed,  I  once  more  applied  my 
eye  to  the  key-hole,  and  beheld  the  persevering  old  gentle- 
man with  every  thing  arranged  as  before,  and  plying  his  oc- 
cupation anew.  He  now  appeared  to  be  under  the  influence 
of  the  most  extravagant  joy,  and  his  ♦*  rouge  gagne"  and 
"rouge  paye"  were  pronounced  more  loudly  and  empha- 
tically than  ever. 

"  May  the  devil  take  your  *  neufs,'  yoir  » quarantes,'  and 
your  '  rouges,'  "  muttered  I  to  myself,  •'  since  you  will  not 
suffer  a  man  to  sleep.  But  the  devil  did  not  take  him,  for 
he  continued  in  this  manner  until  I  thought  il  high  time  to 
descend  to  the  breakfast-room. 

On  quitting  my  chamber,  I  was  met  by  Nimbleton  at  the 
door.  He  at  once  perceived  by  my  countenance  that  I  was 
annoyed,  and  inquired  the  reason.  I  fully  explained  it,  in- 
quiring if  he  knew  any  thing  of  my  friend  in  the  black  night- 
cap. 

Smiling  at  the  ridiculous  circumstance  which  had  deprived 
me  of  my  morning's  rest,  the  major  immediately  replied,  ♦«  I 
know  him  very  well.  He  is  an  old  gentleman  who  has  lost 
a  large  fortune  at  play,  and  is  now  engaged  in  forming  a  sys- 
tem to  win  at  rouge  et  noir.  He  is  quite  earnest  in  the  pur- 
suit, and  so  certain  of  success  in  his  calculations,  that  in  all 
the  clothes  he  has  had  made  for  some  time  past  he  has 
caused  pockets  to  be  constructed,  after  a  fashion  which  he 
deems  the  safest  and  most  convenient,  for  carrying  away 
the  vast  sums  he  expects  to  win  from  the  tables.  Nay,  I 
understand  he  has  even  bespoke  an  iron  chest  as  a  depository 
for  his  anticipated  winnings." 

Here  the  old  man's  door  opened,  and  in  the  dress  I  have 
already  described,  his  eyes  glistening  with  hop  aud  plea- 
sure, he  ran  up  to  Nimbleton.  "  Do,  my  dear  major,  come 
in  and  see  ^he  surprising  effects  of  my  system.  I  have 
broken  the  bank  this  morning,  according  to  my  calculation. 
Only  thmk,  I  have  won   two   hundred  thousand  francs ! 

A^^/^""®^  withstand  this  system.     It  is  impossible  ! 

Ana  really  nearly  as  much  delighted  as  if  he  had  bona 


64 


FRASCATl'f  ;   OK 


fide  pocketed  the  large  amount  he  had  named,  he  pulled 
Nimbleton  back  into  the  room  with  him,  in  order  to  shew 
him  the  result  of  his  labours.  As  for  me,  not  having  been 
honoured  with  a  similar  invitation,  I  proceeded  to  Sir 
Brien*s  apartments. 


CHAPTER  XL 


I  FOUND  Sir  Brien  up,  and  warmly  engaged  in  a  dispute 
with  his  sister.  Emily  soon  afterwards  entered,  blooming 
with  health,  and  fresh  and  fair  as  a  lily  restored  by  the 
morning  dew  ;  but  the  charm  which  principally  fascinated 
me  was  the  affectionate  warmth  with  which  she  pressed 
her  uncle's  hand  in  the  morning  salutation.  As  the  baronet 
had  determined  that  both  his  sister  and  niece  should  take 
their  meals  at  the  table  (Thote^  we  descended  to  breakfast, 
Emily  reclining  on  the  arm  of  her  eccentric  relative,  and 
Miss  O'Flaherty  of  cou>'se  falling  to  my  lot.  Happy  lot  it 
was !  and  with  the  same  sort  of  satisfaction  that  one  feels  at 
taking  up  a  lottery  blank,  I  gave  her  my  arm,  and  followed 
in  the  rear. 

The  breakfast-room  was  full  of  company,  and  every  eye 
was  turned  in  admiration  on  Emily  as  we  entered.  Her 
excessive  timidity  and  ir.o^esty  shrank  beneath  a  notice 
which  she  was  far  from  being  desirous  of  provoking,  and 
the  deep  glow  of  her  cheek  betrayed  her  embarrassment. 
Finally,  however,  her  eye  lingered  on  an  object  that  seemed 
to  give  relief  to  her  feelings,  even  while  the  suffusion  pro- 
duced by  her  emotion  became  deeper  ;  this  was  the  hand- 
some stranger  whom  we  had  met  at  Boulogne.  He,  too, 
evinced  the  same  admiration ;  but  even  while  impassioned 
it  was  respectful,  and,  as  if  in  pity  to  her  embarrassment,  be 
suffered  himself  only  to  indulge  in  stolen  glances. 


iCENEi  IN  PARIS. 


06 


"There  is  something  in  all  this,"  thought  I ;— but  I  was 
not  permitted  for  the  moment  to  think  long  on  the  subject, 
for  my  speculations  were  suddenly  and  rudelv  interrupted 
by  the  violence  of  the  old  Scotch  doctor,  or  •  companion  of 
the  pi  ecedmg  evening,  who  now  rushed  into  the  room  hold- 
ing an  extended  paper  in  his  hand. 

Here  is  the  bill  which  the  rr  .cally  proprietors  ol  this  hotel 
have  sent  m  to  me !  What  plunderers  !  What  robbers  '  I'll 
not  pay  them,  for  it  is  impossible  that  I  could  have  had  so 
much  m  one  day.  What  a  charge '  v.  ity  francs  for  yes- 
terday's   brandy  !  How  the  deucr   .  ould      have  taken  so 

«^fi'"/7'  '"^  twenty  hours?   iir,w  m     '  turning  to  the 
waiter,  *•  do  you  make  this  out?" 

The  waiter,  to  the  surprise  and  an.  .cement  of  the  party, 
began  to  explain  «  You  had  twenty  carafons,  at  a  franc 
Sfh't  Jr""  "J  *^®  '"°»'"i"&v^y  yourself;  six  nfter  breakfast 
r  Lr^- n7    rP",*"'"  .T^"  ^^^y^^  '®^«ts  wha  hae ;'  five 

vou     .„d  1°^!*'"  '^'^  T'^  '^'y^'^  S^^'^^^^n  who  ;isited 
you  ,  and  after  dinner~-let  me  think-I  do  nut  know  how 

many  you  had.     Oh,  yes !  after  dinner' ' 

"  False  !"  interrupted  the  doctor ;  "all  downright  imposi- 

Sy  in^rdl;?" ""  '^""^  ^^  '^y  «°  '-^-  ^  -"  for 
-Pay  it-pay  it,  doctor,"  exclaimed  Nimbleton;  "pay  it 
wtenlV,'":^  ^%  ^'^  'I  y^  ^^"^  ^^^^^^^  you'rsel?/you 

"  but^r'^r'^l  '^^^'f  ^l  ^°'*°''  ^'"''y'^'S  out  of  the  room ; 

but  I  shall  quesuon  the  mistress  of  the  hotel  on  the  subieM 

of  this  charge,     'fhere  must  be  some  mistake  in  it!"   ^"^ 

asfcrf^pT'^J"  '^'  ^^'''*''"  ^^^"""^^  ^ho  occupied 
a  seat  near  the  handsome  stranger.     He  had  availed  himself 

thV^I  Jt     '"^J^"  ^'''^''''^  ^y  *^«  '^^'^  di^iogue  between 

ob8erve?bv"i^Tl'2  "P^"  ^  conversation  with  her  „n 
Observed  by  me,  which  he  was  now  pursuing  in  a  low  but 

»  2 


66 


FRASCATIS;    OR 


animated  tone.  I  felt  both  vexed  and  pleased  at  this  cir- 
cumstance; vexed  that  he  should  venture  to  address  her 
without  having  been  introduced, — pleased  that  Emily  should 
have  experienced  the  gratification  of  conversing  with  one 
who  was  evidently  not  indifferent  to  her.  The  former  un- 
amiable  feeling  did  not  however  continue  long ;  for  it  was 
impossible  to  observe  without  satisfaction  the  delicate  em- 
pressement  with  which  he  anticipated  all  her  wants,  and  be- 
stowed attentions  which  had  in  them  much  more  then  the 
mere  impulse  of  gallantry.  Moreover,  when  I  remarked  the 
amiable  confusion  which  accompanied  Emily's  manner 
v/henever  she  threw  her  timid  glance  on  his,  and  thanked 
him  for  his  civilities,  I  could  not  but  wish  from  my  soul  that 
they  were  better  acquainted,  and  I  resolved  to  promote  their 
intimacy  by  every  means  in  my  power. 

Another  unamiable  occurrence  drew  off  the  attention  of 
the  company  from  them  entirely,  and  afforded  them  an  op- 
portunity of  conversing  more  unrestrainedly  together.  A 
large  comely  looking  woman  seated  at  the  breakfast  table  had, 
much  to  the  annoyance  of  the  baronet,  who  loved  talking  as 
much  as  any  body  in  the  world,  engrossed  almost  all  the 
conversation.  She  was  now  delivering  a  long  prosing  mo- 
nologue, of  which  self  seem>ed  to  be  the  burden. 

"I  was  much  fairer,"  said  she,  resuming  a  chapter  of  her 
memoirs  with  which  she  had  been  entertaining  us ;  "  much 
fairer,  indeed,  before  I  went  to  India.  Every  body  used  to 
extol  the  delicate  freshness  of  my  colour;  but  climatehas 
greatly  altered  my  complexion." 

"  'Tis  still  bewitchingly  fair,"  observed  the  major,  glanc- 
ing ironically  at  the  baronet,  who  seemed  sorely  annoyed  by 
the  silence  imposed  on  him  by  this  talkative  lady. 

"  Oh  no,  not  at  all,"  she  replied ;  "  nothing  to  what  it  was 

before  I  went  to  India:  why " 

Here  she  was  interrupted  by  Sir  Brien,  whose  politeness 
•eldom  prevented  him  from  being  severe  when  thwarted  in 
his  inclimation,  with  "  Yes,  you  have  a  good  skin,^  madam, 

a  good  skin  enoiigh  for  a  woman  of  your  years." 

This  compliment  of  the  baronet,  delivered  in  his  own  dry 


SCENES    IN   PARIS. 


67 


I 


and  emphatic  manner,  somewhat  discomposed  Mrs.  M'Lofty 
She  however  received  it  with  a  forced  smile,  and  after  a  little 
exercise  of  her  fan,  observed,  "You,  sir,  I  presume,  are 
from  Ireland,  the  land  of  gallantry  ;  are  you  not '" 

Being  answered  in  the  affirmative,  "Now,  sir,"  she  pur- 
sued, "  what  age  would  you  take  me  to  be?" 

"  About  my  own  age,  madam,  and  a  full  year  older  than 
my  sister  Harriet  there,"  pointing  to  her. 

Sir  Brien  was  anxious  that  no  particle  of  this  ann^  yinff 
allusion  should  be  lost  on  his  sister,  who  had  already  opened 
an  interesting  flirtation  with  a  French  count.  She  looked 
reproachfully  at  him,  and  the  other  lady  exclaimed,  in  appeal 
to  the  company, —  *^*^ 

"  Gracious  Heaven !  do  you  hear  what  that  e  itleman 
says  ?  As  old  as  he  !  Why,  sir,  my  mother  is  still  livinff. 
and  has  not  yet  reached  your  years.  Do  you  know  you 
look  frightfully  old  ?"  ^ 

Miss  O'Flaherty  drew  herself  haughtily  up,  and  Sir  Brien 
rudely  replied,  « Your  [mother  then,  madam,  must  have 
brought  you  into  the  world  before  she  was  born  herself" 

Finding  the  baronet's  observations  somewhat  too  uncourte- 

ous  yet  not  wishing  to  discontinue  the  conversation  without 

doing  away  with  the  effect  of  his  last  repartee,  she  adopted 

a  subject  less  hkely  she  thought  to  provoke  his  sarcasms. 

1  have  a  great  many  relations  in  Ireland,"  she  observed  • 

"my  paternal  undo  was  member  for .   He  married  the 

sister  of  Lord  Mortgageall,  and  as  his  lordship  is  a  bachelor 
my  cousin  IS  of  course  heir  apparent  to  all  his  estates.    Mv 

great  grandfather  was  Bishop  of .     He  married  Lady 

Kitty  Dash  wood.  They  had  three  sons,  and  I  am  grand- 
daughter  of  the  eldest.  He  was  accounted  the  most  com- 
plete gentleman,  and  the  handsomest  man  of  his  dav  and 
those  who  recollect  him  compliment  me  on  the  resemblance 
between  us.     Perhaps  you  knew  him  sir  ?" 

"I  know  your  grandfather,   madam?"  exclaimed   Sir 
Brien,  all  his  bile  overflowing  at  the  loquacity  of  the  lady 

wJJ  •''  ^?"  ^^^S^  ^^'  ^^^  °^  '"^^  o^  Goathum,  or  the 

r^Lr^i-L  T??_^f°"^'  '  ^''^""'y  ^'^  ^^'  -hen 
4  w««j  uQt  uriug  ill  ireiaau  a  ceniUFy  back  T" 


68 


FRASCATrs;   OR 


"  I  did  not  mean  to  say  you  were,"  replied  Mrs. 
M'Lofty,  with  an  hysterical  laugh  f  *♦  but  being  from  Ire- 
land, I  thought  you  might  have  known  or  heard  of  him. 
The  truth  is,  I  am  a  countrywoman  of  yours  myself.'* 

"  I  was  fully  aware  of  that,  before  you  told  me  so,"  said 
Sir  Brien. 

*'  Impossible  !"  exclaimed  Mrs.  M'Lofty,  "  for  I  left  Ire- 
land when  quite  a  child,  and  I  am  sure  I  have  none  of  that 
disagreeable  brogue  which  sounds  so  hideously  in  the 
mouths  of  your  fair  countrywomen." 

"  Pardon  me,  madam,  I  did  not  pretend  that  you  resem- 
bled any  of  my  fair  countrywomen,  but  when  I  heard  you 
speak  of  your  family  and  genealogy,  I  could  not  well  be 
mistaken  in  the  land  of  your  birth." 

Mrs.  M' Lofty  now  evinced  her  high  displeasure  by  an 
indignant  glailce  at  the  baronet,  and  muttering  two  or  three 
final  observations  about  rudeness,  impertinence,  and  low- 
bred familiarity,  remained  silent. 

The  major  took  an  early  opportunity  to  whisper  in  Sir 
Brien's  ear  how  much  he  admired  his  powers  of  repartee ; 
and  while  he  finished  an  eulogy  he  had  commenced  on  th** 
witty  and  cutting  replies  that  had  been  made  to  the  lady,  1 
turned  to  observe  what  was  passing  between  Emily  and 
the  stranger.  They  appeared  to  be  entirely  abstracted  from 
what  was  going  on  around  them.  From  the  attentive 
earnestness  with  which  Emily  listened  to  his  discourse,  and 
the  expression  of  pity  which  her  features  exhibited,  it  was 
evident  that  her  companion  w  is  repeating  some  tale  of  tra- 
gic or  pathetic  interest.  Nor  was  I  wrong ;  for  curiosity 
inducing  me  to  approach  nearer  to  them,  I  found  he  was 
describing  to  her  the  apartment  in  the  Conciergerie  occu- 
pied by  the  hapless  and  beautiful  Marie  Antoinette,  imme- 
diately previous  to  her  execution.  He  had  spent  much 
time  in  Paris,  and  had  made  himself  acquainted  with  every 
little  circumstance  connected  with  the  imprisonment  and 
death  of  that  ill-fated  queen ;  and  he  now  dwelt  on  her  suf- 
ferings in  language  of  such  power  as  to  excite  the  deep 
sympathy  of  Emily,  whose  eyes  were  moist  with  tears 
during  his  recital. 


SCENES   IN  PARIS. 


eo 


Under  a  pretence  of  speaking  to  Miss  O'Flaherty,  I  re- 
moved  to  a  cljair  that  was  vacant  between  herself  and  the 
stranger.  The  easy  address  and  polished  manners  of  the 
latter  soon  placed  us  on  a  footing  of  friendly  intercourse, 
and  I  found  in  the  course  of  conversation,  that  he  had 
visited  the  chief  cities  in  Europe.  The  information  he  had 
acquired  during  a  term  of  travel  was  great,  and  he  now  im- 
parted It  with  so  much  affability  and  absence  of  travelled 
importance,  that  I  felt  anxious  for  a  more  intimate  acquaint- 
ance. He  received  my  advances  with  extreme  cordiality 
and  pleasure ;  but  this  I  rather  attributed  to  an  anxiety  to  be 
on  terms  of  intimacy  with  one  who  wa«  evidently  a  friend 
of  Emdy,  than  to  any  merit  he  might  have  discovered  in  me. 

Sir  Brien  and  the  major  now  sallied  forth  into  the  gar- 
den through  a  door  communicating  with  the  breakfast  room. 
Ihey  were  m  earnest  conversation,  and  from  the  profound 
attention  and  satisfaction  with  which  the  baronet  listened  to 
the  remarks  of  his  companion,  it  was  evident  that  the  >  '> 
ject  of  discourse  was  his  own  praises.  The  ironical  ;  . 
gentleman  who  travelled  with  us  from  London  had  taken 
up  his  abode  m  the  same  hotel.  I  observed  during  break- 
fast, that  though  he  never  once  opened  his  lips,  not  a  look 
or  action  of  the  youthful  pair  escaped  his  attention. 


70 


FRASCATl's;   OR 


CHAPTER  XII. 


Emily,  the  stranger,  and  I  now  retired  also  into  the  gar- 
den, leaving  Miss  O'Flaherty  engaged  in  close  tete-a-tete 
with  her  companion  the  count.  Previously  to  our  leaving 
the  breakfast  room,  the  stranger,  who  gave  his  name  as 
Henry  Man  vers,  had  entered  into  a  somewhat  detailed  de- 
scription of  his  travels  in  Spain,  to  which  Emily  listened 
with  the  utmost  earnestness  and  delight;  and  as  he  now 
Mwnt  through  some  Moorish  tradition,  or  described  a  time- 
worn  castle  rising  in  solemn  grandeur  over  the  banks  of  a 
dark  and  sweeping  river,  winding  onwards  to  hide  its  deep 
waves  in  he  impervious  gloom  of  a  gigantic  forest,  her 
head  was  inclined  towards  him,  as  if  she  feared  to  lose  a 
feature  of  the  touching  picture.  Moreover,  when  he  dwelt 
on  the  romance,  chivalry,  enthusiasm,  and  gallantry  of  the 
ancient  possessors  of  that  castle,  her  young  bosom  seemed 
to  throb  with  emotions  which  an  attentive  observer  would 
at  once  have  construed  into  regret  that  those  good  old  times 
were  now  no  more. 

The  major  and  Sir  Brien  joining  us  in  the  midst  of  one 
of  these  interesting  narrations,  the  stranger  instantly  discon- 
tinued his  tale,  and  walked  silently  and  abstractedly  at  my 
side.  Emily  sighed,  and  with  difficulty  replied  to  some 
very  flattering  compliment  which  was  addressed  to  her  by 
the  major. 

In  a  few  minutes  a  dashing  looking  fellow  approached  us, 
and  with  all  the  air  and  ease  of  a  man  of  the  world,  re- 


SCENES  IM  PARIS. 


ri 


queated  that  the  b  ronet  and  myself  would  do  him  the  fa- 
vour to  speak  to  hsm  a  few  moments  apart.  We  retired  a 
few  paces,  leaving  the  rest  of  the  party  to  pursue  their  walk! 
when  the  intruder,  who  proved  to  be  no  less  a  pe«oni?e 
than  a  valet  de  place,  after  having  cast  a  significant  rianfe 
at  the  major,  as  if  he  would  have  said  "Belare  of  that  fel- 

"',  r"":  m"^""'  ''?'«<•  ""y  »"«  '»  «hew  us  the  town. 

"I  am,  said  he,  without  waiUngfor  a  reply,  "  the  cle- 
verest  guide  m  Paris.  I  mean,  for  pointing  out  and  ex- 
plaining  to  strangers  the  several  wonders  and  sic^hts  of  this 
great  city  It  matiers  not  of  what  country  they  are  for  I 
speak  all  languages.  Y„u  will  no  doubt  find  many  gent  e- 
men  of  my  profession  who  can  direct  your  attention  u,  such 
objects  as  are  worthy  of  notice,  but  who  are  unable  to  give 
a  classical  and  scientific  descripUon  of  them  like  myself  I 
can  acquaint  you  with  the  respective  merits  and  excellencies 
of  every  painting  and  statue  in  the  Louvre  of  Luxerabou  g 
I  can  explain  the  properties  of  whatever  is  to  be  seen  in  t?e 

S  t"  ^f  • '^fi-  "''T  '  '"«>  ^^'^y  opportunity  ?orpei! 
fecung  myself  m  the  study  of  botany,  having  lived  for  three 
years  as  valet  de  chambre  to  the  chief  lecturer  I  knw 
every  book  and  manuscript  in  the  BibIioth4q„e  d„  RoT 

roughly  acquainted  with  the  different  orders  of  architec  ure 
m  our  palaces,  churches,  and  other  public  buiS  B^ 
sides,  I  have  some  influence  with  government,  and  can  nm- 
cure  admission  to  the  Mint  and  other  nt^To&lTlC^ 
no  one  of  my  profession  can  do  except  myself.  ParS  let 
me  caution  you,"  taking  out  a  splendid  gofd  s„uff.hox  and 
heh,ing  himself  to  a  pinch,  "is  a  ver|  dangerous  pla^. 
and  no  gentleman  ought  ever  to  be  out  at  night,  save  und« 

ticuC^?"""  °f  =>  P«r".'"'«  "y'^'f'  for  sSmgrnin  pt 
Ucular  run  great  risk  of  being  assassinated.  Any  tim" 
therefore,  when  you  wish  to  sleep  out  of  your  Hotel  T™.' 
"fy/ommunicate  your  desire  Jme;  1  am  always  to^be 
It^^:  '""■'''''  ["•'Se.    Perhaps  you  may  ta  wish 

S  ^d  f™ '".^..'"'f ''  =  ,**y  "^^  ™^y  ""rions  places 
mueea,  and  almost  the  first  d  aces  of  nnWi»  «.,»... ,.  !_i,:-i. 


n 


fRASCATl's;   Oft 


I  am  in  the  habit  of  conducting  English  gentlemen ;  not,  I 
wish  it  to  be  understood,  that  1  c/er  take  young  persons  tc 
them, — oh  no  ;  my  morality,  nij  honour  would  not  permit 
me.  I  would  not  do  so  for  the  v/orld ;  but  gentlemen  of  age 
and  sense,  like  you,  I  always  feel  honoured  iii  accompar?y- 
ing.  Should  you,  however,  feti  inclined  to  amutie  your- 
selves at  the  game,  1  will  conduct  you  to  120  in  the  Palais 
Royal,  frequented  by  all  the  English  who  woa'd  not  have  it 
supposed  that  they  indulge  in  this  iiitle  recreation." 

Sir  Brmi  thanked  the  modest  valet  ^or  the  jirofTs  ir  of  Ijis 
services,  and  desired  him  to  be  in  attendance  in  the  course 
of  an  hour.  The  '  professional"  took  off  his  hat,  bowed 
gracefully,  and  reli? ./.!«  I  eould  not  at  first  avoid  thinking 
how  very  learned  the  who]«  of  the  French  nation  must  be, 
when  even  acommmr,::,^.^  if  hnlel  could  boast  of  such  uni- 
versal acquirt^meiit;  I'd  when  I  recollected  that  it  was  a 
character  given  by  a  Fienchman  of  himself,  and  that  no  man 
of  any  other  country  in  the  world  could  rival  him  in  ar.  an- 
nouncement, be  it  of  vendibles,  or  be  it  of  personal  attain- 
ments, my  surprise  and  admiration  immediately  ceased. 

«  What  has  that  fellow  been  saying  to  you  ?"  inquired 
the  major,  of  Sir  Brien,  as  we  again  joined  the  party.  "  He 
is  an  impudent  obtrusive  blackguard,  and  I  advise  you  to 
have  nothing  to  do  with  him. ,  He  will  put  you  to  all  man- 
ner of  expense,  and  show  you  little  worth  looking  at  after 
all.  Have  nothing  to  do  with  the  scoundrel,  Sir  Brien ;  and 
I  promise  to  devote  some  days  to  the  pleasure  of  showing 
you  the  several  sights  myself.  I  am,  you  must  know,  of  a 
very  acuve  and  inquiring  turn  of  mind,  and  possessed  of  a 
great  fondness  for  research.  Moreover,  no  one  is  so  well 
acquainted  with  I'aris ;— so  much  so,  indeed,  that  a  cele- 
brated London  publisher  has  tempted  me  with  a  large  offer 
to  write  my  adventures  :  but  I  cannot  think  of  accepting  it. 
The  name  of  author  is  not  reputable  now-a-days,  and  espe- 
cially for  a  military  man.  It  is  too  much  after  the  - '  'ijar 
taste  of  that  old  Roman  Cincinnatus.  Moreover,  .in^ug 
person**  of  family  and  f*.  tune,  an  author  is  coi5«'iuured  a 
mere  drudge,— a  sort  of  Iliorary  mountebank  at  uv  ;k  .ch  per 


I 


SCENES  IN  FARM. 


78 


sheet;  and  you  know,  my  dear  sir,  vr«  must  conform  to 
the  opinions  of  the  circle  in  which  we  move.  Byron  cer- 
t'iinly  gave  respectability  to  the  name  ;  but  other  lords  (Nor- 
ninnby  excepted)  will  not  write,  and  authorship  is  affain 
iiBt  sinking  into  disrepute.*' 

I  was  delighted  to  hear  of  the  offer  made  by  the  pub- 
lisher, being  well  satisfied  that  my  work  must  far  exceed 
anythmg  that  a  mere  major  in  the  army  could  write;  but 
at  the  opinion  he  expressed  in  regard  to  the  respectability 
of  authorship  I  was  sorely  annoyed.  I  however  attributed 
it  to  his  very  limited  information  on  these  subjects,  and  an 
impudent  and  affected  display  of  arrogance  and  pretension. 

The  major  completely  succeeded  in  supplantmg  the  vtdet 
de  place  during  the  day.  Manvers  at  my  request  consented 
U)  be  of  the  party,  but  Emily  was  conrp'eiied  to  decline  ac- 
companying us,  as  her  aunt  had  declared  she  could  not 
think  of  venturing  out  so  early,  and  desired  her  to  remain 
with  her  until  the  carriage  arrived,  when  she  proposed  that 
they  should  drive  out  together.  It  was  evident  that  this 
arrangement  was  far  from  being  agreeable  either  to  Enrilv 
or  to  Manvers.  ^ 

**  I  regret,*'  said  the  former,  colouring,  and  in  a  low  tone, 
"  that  my  aunt  will  not  be  of  the  party,  for  from  your  de- 
scnptions  of  travel,  I  had  anticipate  *.  much  pleasure  and 
amusement  in  hearing  you  explain  the  several  beauties  and 
curiosities  of  Paris." 

"  Your  regret,"  returned  the  young  man  eagerly,  while 
his  dark  eyeshot  forth  a  glance  of  delight,  "flatters  me 
greatly;  for  though  I  am  sorry  beyond  measure  that  you 
should  be  disappointed  in  the  wish  you  have  formed,  still  I 
cannot  but  feel  grati5ed  to  learn  from  that  disappointment, 
that  I  have  been  happy  enough  to  impart  pleasure  to  one 
whom  all  must  feel  desirous  to  please." 

These  were  the  only  hints  of  mutual  esteem  which  had 
hitherto  escaped  the  lips  of  either;  and,  although  each  be- 
lieved that  they  were  heard  only  by  the  other,  they  fell  dis- 
tinctly  on  my  prying  ear,  and  I  would  not  have  lost  them 
on  any  account. 


74 


FRASCATI8}   OR 


At  length  we  set  forth  on  our  excursion,  leaving  Emilr 
and  her  aunt  behind.  The  latter  had  displayed  some  skill 
in  manoeuvring  in  this  affair,  for  the  earliness  of  the  hour 
and  the  absence  of  a  vehicle  were  not  her  real  motives  for 
remaining  at  home.  She  wished  to  get  Sir  Brien  out  of  the 
way  in  order  that  she  might,  under  we  sanction  of  Emily's 
presence,  invite  her  new  admirer,  the  count,  to  take  an  air- 
ing with  her.  But,  after  all,  who  could  blame  her  for  it  ? 
It  certainly  was  high  time  that  she  should  think  of  establish- 
ing herself  for  life,  and  the  count,  although  past  the  quarari' 
tmne  and  by  no  means  an  Adonis,  was  nevertheless  an  eli- 
ble  husband  for  a  lady  of  her  years.  He  was  an  exceedingly 
well-mannered  man, — next  heir  to  a  large  estate  in  one  of 
the  best  grape  departments  in  France,  of  high  descent,  a 
soldier,  wore  mustachios  and  the  red  ribband,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  legion  of  honour  and  the  order  of  St.  Louis. 
He  was,  moreover,  esteemed  the  most  persevering  roulette 
player  in  Paris,  had  concocted  a  most  infallible  system  for 
winning  at  rouge  et  noir,  and  only  wanted  Miss  O'Fla- 
herty*s  fortune  to  put  it  forthwith  in  practice. 


80BNK8  IK  PARIS. 


t5 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


As  we  passed  through  the  Rue  St.  Honor6  we  saw  a 
cplendid-looking  carriage,  a  perfect  model  of  workmanship, 
and  remarkable  for  its  lightness  and  beauty.  The  Uveries 
ot  the  servants  too,  were  gorgeous  in  the  extreme. 

"Do  you  know,  major,**  inquired  the  baronet,  "to  whom 
that  carriage  belongs  ?" 

„"'/°-—^'  l^^ongs  to  your  talking  friend,  the  widow 
M  liOtty,  on  whom  you  were  so  severe  this  morning.'* 

I' She  must  be  very  rich!"  pursued  Sir  Brien,  musingly. 

"  Very  rich  mdeed.  Her  husband,  who  died  lately  in 
India,  amassed  a  princely  fortune  in  that  country,  and  has 
left  the  whole  of  it  to  her.  * 

"  Why  the  devil,  then,  do  you  not  propose  for  her  ?— 
why  not  marry  her,  major,  eh  ?" 

"  Why,"  returned  Nimbleton,  with  an  air  of  nonchalance, 

I  might  marry  her  if  I  wished,  for  she  was  always  very 
partial  to  me ;  but  I  never  would  encourage  her  advances. 
1  do  not  hke  the  woman  in  fact,  and  then  again  her  famUy 
IS  plebeian.  That  you  Know  would  never  do,  as  my  re- 
lations and  friends,  who  are  people  of  the  first  consequence, 
would  not  visit  her."  ^         * 

Manvers,  who  was  leaning  on  my  arm,  could  not  refrain 
trom  aughing  in  the  major's  face  during  the  delivery  of  this 
speecli.  The  latter  s^^med  annoyed,  but  took  no  notice  of 
m  Wtefruption,    I  could  not  well  ask  an  explanation  at 


rRAiCATl's;  OB 


the  moment,  but  presumed  that  my  young  friend  had  some 
knowledge  of  Nimbleton,  thnt  <\h\  not  quite  accord  with  the 
motifes  he  had  just  assir  od  ibr  not  marrying  the  rich 
widow. 

We  now  turned  into  the  Palais  Royal.  The  beautiful 
ioup  d^oeil  of  this  magic  place  was  lost  on  the  baronet, 
Mrhose  first  exclamation  vas,  "  Are  not  the  gaming-houses 
here,  major?     I  wish  above  all  things  to  scr  -hoj  u" 

"  I  believe  they  are  somewhere  about  here,"  returned 
Nimbleton,  "  but  I  am  ignorant  of  the  precise  place,  for  I 
never  was  in  one  ;n  my  life.  I  would  not  trust  myself  in 
them,  for  larger  states  than  mine  have  been  swallowed  up 
here.  However,  if  you  wish  it,  I  will  inquire.  Do  you," 
he  pursued,  t-rning  to  Manvers,  "  know  anything  of  these 
houses  V* 

"  A  little,''  replied  the  other,  with  a  satirical  smile,  "  and 
I  shall  feel  happy  in  conducting  Sir  Brien  and  Mr.  Morris 
to  one  of  them.  You,  I  presonte  will  wat  our  return,  for 
1  never  could  forgive  myself  were  I  to  prove  the  means  of 
introducing  so  self-distrusting  a  character  as  Major  Nimble- 
ton, to  a  place  where  his  very  large  estates  might  be  endan- 
gered." 

"  Nay,  nay,  do  not  be  alarmed  on  my  account,"  <"oolly 
returned  the  major ;  "  there  is  no  danger  of  my  being  se- 
duced into  play. — I  shall  go  with  jou.*' 

Manvers  now  introduced  us  into  a  dirty  >assage  commu- 
nicating with  a  jeweller's  ;  '  op,  id  leai  g  at  tl  farther 
extremity  to  a  flight  of  wretched,  comfortless  stairs.  These 
we  ascended,  and  in  a  few  minntes  found  ourselves  in  the 
splendid  apartments  designatdd  by  the  T^imber  1^4,  of 
which  we  had  heard  so  much.  In  the  first  room  beyond 
the  antechamber  was  a  roulette  table,  the  vAxne)  of  which 
was  lying  stationary  for  want  of  playe 

Having  previously  ascertained  the  n     e       playing  fro 
«  by-stander.  Sir  Brien  placed  a  Naj      r       n  one  of  t^ 
numberp.     He   was  fortunate.      He.  Mfpii,   and  thirty-six 
times  the  amount  of  the  stake  he  Haid  risked  was  paid  to 
him. 


•CENE9  IN   PARK. 


n 


"Do  you  see  th.s   Morris?"  he  exclaimed  exultinriy, 
«nd  counung  the  gold  he  had  received  with  as  much  dS 
as  If  they  had  been  as  many  thousands,  "  I  perceive.  Sat  if 
a  man  plays  cautiously,  he  must  unavoidably  make  his  for- 
">«'"»  very  httle  time  at  this  game." 

n,iJr hi.T"  ''''fi'="'«y  I  prevailed  on  him  not  to  compro- 
raise  his  advantage  at  the  roulette  at  least  for  the  oresent 
and  we  lounged  into  the  next  apartment,  wh  chw»  a  rS 
etrnir  room.     This,  if  one  might  judge  from  the  numSr 

vl4nt'Z7.h;  7  hi ""'  'r ""'*  «=""'•  Not  a  chai"  wa 
S  JT  '/'''«•  and  many  of  the  players  stood  in 

^n„    .1    f  t"'  *?"  ''""P  ^^''"^  *ose  who  were  seated 
Amont  the  atter,  I  recognized  m-    itde  friend  of  the  black 
nightcap  whose  noisy  calculation,  /lad  so  cruelly  disturbed 
my  sh.mbers  th.t  morning.     He  was  anxiously  engaged  in 
S  hi  M^\  "■>  «hich  were  drawn  several  lat-^C! 

T^l,  ii.  P^i"'  ^  =""'  ^'  '"  ^""•'a'e  fed  and  black  co- 
loure  between  the  spaces;  but  he  was  not  playing,_for  Sie 
best  «ason  in  the  world.  I  suppose,_beLL  t  haS  no 

syilemXeVr'''*  ""^'"'  "'"""''''g  him.  "how  does  the 

siah^"'' ,  'T'^*''"  ™J<'*?«''J  *e  lilUe  man  with  a  deep 
betiful^l  r  ''*»f'»-day.  But  is  not  this  a 
oeanti  ul  g.me  .  ,e  pursued,  shewing  him  the  card  that 
he  had  pricked,  "ou.   see  how  it  has%nswered.    Had  I 

have  '"roi  en^h«r'^^  '"n"""™  "'^''^  ^"^  *is  run  I  should 

b::^e;^''"ry  ts^/  toS-a^T  "nfevVife'  ti^r  •■ 

en4  rady  b?  U ^1". '.kfi..."  '  "^^  ^^^^ 
.vn„  .     °°'  ""^ ''  i;P  y*'-"  ."•"<^e«'-'  <•  «he  little  man.     "  I 


4»  ^ 


78 


riuuBCATis;  oa 


Looking  acrow  the  table,  I  beheld,  deeply  engaged  in  the 
game,  an  oM  man  frightfully  afflicted  with  the  palsy.  There 
was  something  dignified  in  his  appearance,  something  that 
would  have  claimed  and  commanded  respect  in  any  other 
situation ;  but  when  I  thought  ^f  the  vile  passion  which  in- 
stigated him  thus  to  expose  and  torture  a  frame  nearly 
bowed  to  the  earth  with  years  and  disease,  my  feelings 
were  undisguised  contempt  and  unqualified  disgust.  His 
tongue  now  protruded  beyond  his  lips,  bis  body  shook  with 
the  alternate  influer  e  of  joy  and  disappointment,  jind  his 
trembling  hand  but  lil  performed  the  service  of  depositing 
or  taking  up  his  stakes. 

"  Pray,  sir,  can  you  inform  me  who  that  gentleman  is  ?'* 
I  inquired  of  a  shabby-genteel  looking  Englishman,  who 
stood  near  me. 

"  What,  sir,  do  you  not  know  who  he  is  ?  You  must, 
indeed,  be  a  stranger  here.  That  is  one  of  the  most  con- 
-jtant  players  at  rouge  et  noir  in  all  Paris.  Every  day  for 
the  last  five  years,  Sundays  not  even  excepted,  has  he  been 
in  the  habit  of  attending  the  several  gaming-houses.  He 
was  once  a  man  of  very  large  property ;  but,  like  some 
others,  has  contrived  to  get  through  a  great  many  thousands. 
Play  is  his  great  passion ;  and  I  expect  one  of  these  days  to 
see  him  drop  down  dead  from  the  effects  of  his  palsy,  with 
a  pricking-pin  in  one  hand  and  a  stake  in  the  other.     His 

name  is  M. " 

"What!'*  I  exclaimed,   "is  that  really  M -t     I 

have  often  heard  him  spoken  of  as  a  man  of  large  fortune." 
"  True,  sir,  true ;  but  his  passion  for  rouge  has  nearly 
ruined  him.  By  the  bye,  I  do  not  see  you-  play,  perhaps 
you  are  not  aujait  ?  I  shall  be  very  happy  to  give  you 
my  advice.  1  am  considered  a  very  excellent  rouge  et  noir 
player  indeed,  and  if  you  please  we  will  bank  a  few  Napo- 
leons." 

"  I  thank  you,"  I  said,  "  but  I  do  not  purpose  to  play 
this  morning." 

"  Do,  my  dear  sir,  permit  me  to  try  even  one  Napoleon 
for  you,"  pursued  my  new  acquaintance.    "  You  will  really 


■CBNSS   IN    PARIf. 


79 


confer  a  very  great  favour  on  me ;  and  as  I  am  usuallv 
lucky,  we  shall.  I  dare  aay,  have  somethinff  to  divide  be- 
tween U8."  ** 

From  the  appearance  of  the  speaker,  I  should  have  thought 
he  had  very  few  Napoleons  to  bank;  however,  as  I  had 
reason  to  believe  that  I  should  in  reality  confer  not  only  a 
favour  but  a  benefit  on  him.  in  the  event  of  my  Napoleon 
proving  lucky.  I  acquiesced  in  his  proposal.  CuTioua 
however,  to  know,  whether  he  had  a  Napoleon  at  all.  I  obi 
served,  as  I  took  one  from  my  own  purse,  "  Here  is  mv 
stake  ;  give  me  yours;  I  will  play  the  first  coup,  and  il  ui^ 
successful,  you  shall  try  the  other." 

"By  all  means,  nothing  can  be  more  fair,'»  resumed  mv 

In^HfL""!  ^T  *^*^"»^«"'^"^^.  however,  I  could  trace  a 
slight  shade  of  disappointment.  He  continued  to  f  .mble  a 
minute  or  two  in  his  pockets;  then  exclaimed,  with  well 
affected  concern, — 

"  Dear  me,  what  a  d— d  stupid  fellow  I  am.  I  have  ab- 
so lutely  come  without  my  pursue.  How  very  unfon^ate  r 
.  "Very  unfortunate  indeed,"  I  coolly  returned,  consign- 
ing the  gold  to  my  waistcoat  pocket.  ^ 

"Stop,  stop,"  eagerly  rejoined  the  other;  and  with  an* 
involuntary  raising  of  his  hand,  ..s  if  he  would  have  arres" 
tnlllTT'-  ''J'i^' ^'^P^^^on   will   be  sufficien       I 
If  MnL  /"n''"^"'^'.""^   ^«  «h^"   win  some  money, 
my  card:"  "^^"  ^"^  ^'"  '^'  ^^"  ^'^^"^^  ^«-"^«rr«^-    HeTe Ts 

"  Never  mind  your  card,"  I  replied.     *'  Here  is  the  Na- 

ad?s   nfoa/^^^^^^^^^  '"^^^^  *« 

a  Qisiant  part  ol  the  table,  assigning  as  a  motive    thnf  h* 

was  always  more  lucky  there   than  any  wheTeels;    hn   in 

realuy  anxious  to  avoi'd  being  overload  in  his  play     ? 

p  e tended  not  to  observe  him,  yei,  though  my  head       ' 

pardy  averted,  I  could  distinctly  observe  fu  hfs  motions 

He  placed  the  Napoleon  on  the  red,  and  having  w^  the 

Ss%rL''  *'f  rr  ^^^^^^^  -to^T-k^of  h 
irowsers.    He  then  put  ten  francs  of  the  other  on  the  black, 


80 


fra3cat;'s;  or 


and  lost,  when  coming  back  to  me  with  the  remaining  sil- 
ver, he  threw  it  on  the  colour  next  to  me,  and  again  lost. 

"  Well,  who  would  have  thought  it !"  he  exclaimed.  "  I 
was  certain  that  I  should  have  been  in  luck  to-day ;  but  no 
matter,  we  shall  do  better  some  other  time,  I  owe  you  ten 
francs,  sir." 

"  Suppose  you  let  me  try  my  luck  with  the  Napoleon  you 
won  at  your  first  stake,"  I  observed,  looking  him  full  in  the 
face ;  **  perhaps  I  may  be  more  fortunate." 

"  The  Napoleon  I  won  at  my  first  stake,  sir  ?"  confus- 
edly repeated  the  banking  man.  "Really  you  must  be 
raistaken." 

*'  Not  at  all,"  I  resume'^ :  still  regarding  him  with  the 
same  fixed  and  scrutinizi-g  look.  "If  you  try,  you  will 
find  it  there,"  (pointing  to  the  right  hand  pocket  of  his 
trowsers.)  "  Your  memory  must  have  played  you  false ; 
but  you  may  rely  upon  it  the  Napoleon  is  there." 

With  a  dogged  air,  in  which  shame  and  vexation  were 
struggling  with  an  affectation  of  surprise,  he  at  length  pro- 
duced the  gold. 

"  Well,  how  very  singular,  that  I  should  have  won  and 
pocketed  that  stake,  without  recollecting  the  circumstance 
afterwards  !  How  very  extraordinary!  is  it  not?" 

"  Not  at  all,"  I  replied ;  "  people  who  are  much  in  the 
habit  of  play,  are  often  subject  to  these  little  treacheries  of 
memory." 

"  True,  true  ;  your  observation  is  very  just,"  rejoined 
my  friend,  who  construed  my  sarcasm  into  a  justification  of 
his  recent  conduct.  "  These  things  do  often  happen ;  and, 
in  fact,  in  the  heat  and  agitation  of  play,  one  cannot  be  sup- 
posed to  know  what  one  does.     Well,  shall  I  try  it  again  ?" 

"  No,  certainly  :  it  is  now  my  turn." 

With  a  look  of  disappointment  and  much  evident  reluc- 
tance, he  handed  me  the  gold.  "  There  seems  to  be  a  run 
upon  the  red,"  he  observed ;  "  you  had  better  follow  it  up" 

My  object,  however,  was  not  to  win,  but  to  lose,  and  for 
two  reasons.  In  the  first  instance,  I  felt  that  if  I  lost,  I 
3hould  not  in  all  probability  be  troubled  j;gain  with  the  ser- 


BCfiNES  IN  Paris. 


%i 


vices  of  my  new  acquaintance,  who  v,as  not  likely  to  be 
ffuihy  of  stirring  earth  and  heaven  to  return  me  my  ten  francs. 
inl!»,^^T  '  '  ^^'  nialiGiou8  enough  to  anticipate  pleasure 
from  the  disappointment  he  would  feel  in  losing,  after  hav- 

LLn'l,  1  ^»fV^"''^^'  '^  ^^^terously  outwitted  me  ;  and, 
^though  1  had  reason  to  think  the  poor  devil  had  not  a 
franc  to  procure  a  dinner  with,  I  was  resolved  to  punish 
him  for  the  dishonesty  he  had  practised.  ^ 

1  took  an  opportunity,  when  every  one  around  the  table  had 
made  up  their  minds  from  the  course  of  the  cards,  that  the 
run  on  the  red  was  quite  established,  to  put  my  sovereign 

"My  God,  sir!  how  could  you  do  such  a  thing?"  im- 
pa  .enUy  *xcfamed  my  fellow  sufferer.  "  Who  efer  saw 
such  play  ?  Who  ever  was  half  so  silly  as  to  oppose  him- 
sdf  .p  a  run  on  the  colour  ?  But  it  is^not  too\te!"  he 
pursued,  seeing  that  I  took  no  notice  of  his  observations, 
"the  colour  .3  established  beyond  a  doubt.  You  wT Uy 
another  Napoleon,  will  you  not »"  ' 

"No  sir,  I  shall  play  no  more,"  I  coolly  replied. 

DoL«l  Fn'>  :~"°"  'r^  '  ^'"'"    '"""«'^d  'he  disap. 
po  nted  Englishman,  as  he  stalked  away,  biting  his  nails 

wilh  pa  sion,  "  what  a  confounded  idiot  not  to  have  kept 
what  I  I  ad  won."  In  the  next  minute,  I  saw  him  lean- 
2  on  the  ma,ble  slab  of  the  mantel-pi^ce  at  one  exte- 
rn y  of  the  room.  His  back  was  lurnrd  to  me,  but  h" 
f  a tures  reflected  from  the  large  mirror  that  stood  before  . 
hm ,  bore  such  strong  impress  of  disappointment  and  carl 
that  I  could  not  but  help  feeling  commiseration  for  hC 

tiall  «r°'   'Ti"  ™y  ^"'"'^''  f'""'  «-•'<>«■  I  I'ad  been  Z 
taly  separated  dunng  my  affair  of  partnership,  I  percefv- 

wa  ds  M     """  °^u"""'  "^  ""'  P'^y"'^  'o  be  dire£    L 

without   .wf'-  "'"'  ™^'  "'^'''"S  '''SO  ««u«  and  winning 
wunout   mtermission.     Tempted    bv   the  success   of  hil 
young  („end    Sir  Brieu  had  followed  up    his   ;  ay    =^d 
was  equally  lucky,  though  on  a  smallcrScale.  "^Fortu^e 
i  however,  was  not  long  in  manifesting  her  canricln"""" 


Idea 


82 


FRASCATl's  ;   OR 


and  in  the  course  of  a  very  few  minutes,  Manvers  had 
scarcely  a  sou  left  out  of  the  large  heaps  that  so  recent- 
ly lay  before  him.  The  baronet  was  fortunate  enough  to 
escape  this  reverse,  for  finding  that  his  hands  could  scarcely 
contain  the  gold  he  had  won,  he  very  prudently  ceased 
at  the  moment  when  Manvers's  luck  began  to  turn.  I  now 
approached,  and  congratulating  him  on  his  success,  prevail- 
ed on  him  to  retire  with  his  winnings. 

As  I  left  the  room,  I  cast  a  parting  glance  at  my  friend. 
He  was  still  leaning  with  his  head  on  his  hand,  and  appa- 
rently much  dejected.  I  could  not  resist  the  impulse  of  the 
moment,  but  taking  a  Napoleon  from  my  purse,  lounged  to- 
wards the  fire-place,  and  placed  it  in  his  hand. 

"  We  have  both  been  unfortunate  to-day,"  I  observed, 
in  a  subdued  tone.  "  Perhaps,  however,  if  you  play  with 
cauSion,  you  may  manage  to  recover  our  trifling  losses  with 

this."  ^  .  .  , 

There  was  a  mingled  expression  of  joy,  surprise,  and 
gratitude,  on  the  countenance  of  the  stranger,  as  he  grasped 
the  extended  gold  ;  and  the  gloom  which  had  so  recently 
obscured  his  brow  passed  away.  Then,  in  the  next  instant, 
as  if  ashamed  of  the  eagerness  he  had  betrayed,  he  dropped 
his  eyes,  coloured,  and  thanked  me  for  what  he  was  pleased 
to  term  my  loan.  A  moment  afterwards  he  was  betting  at 
the  table. 


SCENES   IN  PARIS. 


88 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


the  open  aVenaTW'kL^^^^^^^^  lT~'Xl 

lew  men  should  have  made  fortunes  by  it,  for  see  what  T 

have  gamed  m  less  than  ten  minutes."  ^  ^*  ' 

1  shook  my  head.     "  It  is  true,"  I  replied    "  that  vo.i 

our  y^,  mend  .  .i.^!^lX"Zj-,%:,t 

fore  w^  Irf/  B„.,i  '^  y  ^,  '=»"*'il"«'y  fof  that.    Besides,  be- 

w  a  system  by  which  one  is  sure  to  win.     That  vmin., 

Hrdirnn^'^  '"'.'•  ^'^^r^'P^y'^  ^^UhoutKent! 
«„  1    J  ?°' go  systematically  to  work  as  I  did.     '  T^de  i. 

noload.' Morris,"  conclude-d  SirBrien,  cCh  „g  AeLd 

liiv*l^°  "ooount  of  Ableton  Hazard's  system,  my  incredu- 

"ty  was  some«rhat  shaken,  and  I  felt  dispo  "/to  S^ 

f««™.f  "T"",**  '™*  "fhis  observations      "TwJ 

innSX^T'  1,°"™'.'.  ""'"8'"'  ""^y  "»'  P^ve  so  very 
unprofitable  after  all ;  and  if  I  can  only  perau^de  Sir  Briln 


84 


FRASCATl's;   OR 


to  let  me  into  the  secret,  there  can  he  no  just  reason  why  I 
should  not  make  a  fortune  by  it  also. 

In  a  few  minutes  we  were  joined  by  Nimbleton  and  Man- 
vers.     "  Ha'/C  you  won  ?"  inquired  the  baronet  of  the  major. 

"  Oh  no !  I  never  yet  have  played,  and  I  am  sute  I  never 
shall.  Had  I  your  nerve  and  prudence,  however,  I  think 
I  should  be  tempted,  for,  upon  my  honour,  I  never  in  my 
life  met  with  so  cool  and  clever  a  player.  You  really 
quite  surprised  me.  You  certainly  must  have  the  bump 
of  acquisitiveness,  which,  in  the  hurry  of  my  examination, 
I  had  overlooked." 

Sir  Brien  seemed  highly  delighted  at  all  this,  and  the 
major  continued  to  eulogize  his  play,  attributing  his  suc- 
cess entirely  to  judgment  and  a  superior  conception  of  the 
game,  until  his  companion  had  not  an  ear  left  for  any  thing 
but  his  own  praises.  In  this  mood,  the  phrenologist  had 
no  difficulty  in  drawing  him  apart  from  us. 

Left  to  ourselves,  1  began  to  condole  with  Man  vers  on 
his  losses  ;  but  he  treated  them  with  a  levity  that  surpris- 
ed me,  declaring  tuat  his  mind  was  at  that  moment  oc- 
cupied with  a  very  different  subject. 

"  Have  you  been  long  acquainted  with  that  gentleman  ? 
he  asked,  pointing  to  the  major. 

"I  never  saw  him  before  last  night,  when  he  was  kmd 
enough  to  introduce  himself  to  Sir  Brien  and  myself,  in 
the  coffee-room  of  the  ho*el." 

"  Do  you  know  any  th-ng  of  his  uncle  ?" 

"Nothing  whatever,'-  I  replied. 

"  Well ;"  proceeded  Manvers  ;  **  that  man  is  certainly 
not  to  be  surpassed  in  ^f  ..ntery.  I  thought  I  should  have 
-  died  with  laughing,  wixn  he  disclosed  his  motives  to  the 
baronet  for  not  marrying  the  widow  M'Lofty.  But  his  as- 
iertion,  in  my  presence,  that  he  had  never  been  in  a  gam- 
ing  house,  certainly  exceeded  all  my  ideas  of  superlative 

assurance."  i      *« 

a  "Why  ;  have  you  ever  seen  him  in  them  before,  then  i 
«  Ask  me,  rather,  whether  1  h&ve  ever  seen  him  out  of 

#iem." 


I 


iSCENfiS   IN  PARIS. 


8ft 


"  Has  he  a  system  ?"  I  inquired.  '^ 

"A  capital  one  for  swindling,"  rejoined  Manvers ;  "and 
did  he  but  confine  himself  to  his  natural  calling,  I  should  not 
so  much  blame  him.  But,  as  you  mention  systems.  I  must 
relate  a  circumstance  that  occurred  here  last  summer  I 
was  stopping  at  Meurice's,  where  I  first  met  this  genUe- 
man.  He  forced  his  acquaintance  on  me  much  in  the  man- 
ner that  he  appears  to  have  done  with  the  baronet  and  your- 
self, and  pestered  me  day  after  day  to  join  him  in  a  system 
he  had  discovered  for  winning  at  rou^e  et  noir.  His  im 
portunities  at  length  became  so  teasing,  that  one  morniiiff  I 
foolishly  gave  him  upwards  of  four  thousand  francs,  with 
which  he  assured  me  he  could  break  the  bank  :  in  any  case 
I  was  to  be  a  sharer  hi  the  profits. 

"  That  evening  he  sent  a  waiter,  to  request  that  I  would 
see  him  in  his  room.     I  immediately  went,  and  found  him 
sitting  near  the  fire,  with  all  the  distracted  air  of  one  driven 
to  the  verge  of  despair.     There  was  a  case  of  pistols  Ivinir 
open  on  the  table.     As  I  entered,  he  started  from  his  chairl 
and,  alter  pacing  the  room  like  a  madman  for  a  few  minutes, 
at  length  approached  and  grasped  my  hand,  exclaimin<^, 
in  an  accent  of  desolation,—'  Will  you  forgive  me  ?  I  caS- 
not  die  m  peace  unless  you  do.    I  am  a  ruined  man ;  the 
very  apprehension  of  having  made  you  so  too,  drives  me 
distracted.    I  have  lost  all  the  money  you  entrusted  to  me 
this  mormng,^  and  upwards  of  a  thousand  pounds  of  my 
own.     These  are  my  only  refuge  from  misery,  (pointing  to 
the  pistols,)  and  with  these  I  have  resolved  to  end  my  life, 
fell  me  only  that  I  have  not  ruined  you :  say  too  that  you 
forgive  me   a.:d  I  shall  die  happy.* 

"Atanyt  7r  moment,  I  should  certainly  have  treated 
as  rhodomontade,  the  highly  wrought  scene  that  was  acting 
betore  me  ;  and  at  once  have  seen  the  absurdity  of  a  man 
of  the  world  affecting  to  bflu  /.  hat  I  could  possibly  have 
been  ruined  by  the  loss  ol  km  thousand  francs,  while  he 
himself,  a  much  poorar  in  u/ijual,  had  lost  six  times  the 
amount.  The  major  certainly  overacted  his  part  in  this  af- 
lair,  but  I  was  too  much  taken  by  iurprise  to  reason  coolly 

VOL.  I."     H 


86 


FRASCATIS;   OR 


on  the  isubjcct ;  and,  in  fact,  his  acting  was  in  every  sense 
mo  like  the  ebuliitiim  of  genuine  feeling,  that  I  absolutely 
-became  alarmed  for  him  ;  and  assuring  him  that  the  loss  of 
the  money  was  of  no  consequence  whatever,  sought  to 
tranquillize  his  mind,  a)>d  to  dissuade  him  from  the  execu- 
tion of  his  mad  resolve. 

"*Ah  !'  he  exclaimed,  in  an  agonized  tone,  *you  are  too, 
too  good.  But  it  is  now  too  late.  I  am  an  utterly  ruined 
man,  and  die  I  must,  unless  I  can  contrive  to 'borrow  two 
thousand  francs  for  a  few  days.' 

**  Even  this  did  not  open  my  eyes,  I  happened  to  have 
n  few  notes  in  my  pocket-book,  and  instantly  put  the 
amount  he  required  into  his  hands.  Nothing  could  exceed 
his  professions  of  gratitude.  He  called  me  the  preserver 
of  his  life,  the  guardian  of  his  reputation,  and  in  short,  so 
overpowered  me  with  his  acknowledgments,  that  I  was  glad 
to  leave  the  room. 

"  'J'iie  next  morning  the  major  was  not  to  be  found.  On 
inquiry,  it  appeared  that  he  had  quitted  the  hotel  altogether 
having  in  his  hurry,  forgotten  to  settle  his  account  with 
Monsieur  Meurice.  As  for  my  six  thousand  francs,  they 
were  gone  for  ever,  and  I  had  the  additional  mortification 
to  discover  soon  afterwards,  that  not  a  single  sou  of  the 
amount  had  been  lost  by  him. 

"  Since  that  period  1  have  seen  nothing  of  him  till  this 
morning.  You  witnessed  his  conduct  towards  me,  and  may 
thejrefore,  after  the  circumstance  I  have  related,  form  some 
idea  of  his  consummate  impudence.  As  we  descended  the 
stairs  of  the  gaming  house  just  now,  he  had  the  effrontery 
to  beg  that  I  would  not  expose  him  either  to  you  or  to  the 
baronet ;  *  for,'  he  pursued,  '  they  are  most  intimate  friends 
<)f  my  uncle  in  Ireland,  who  requested  them  to  undertake 
the  arrangement  of  my  affairs,  which  are  at  present  in  a 
very  embarassed  state.  I  hope,  however,  in  a  few  days  to 
be  enabled  not  only  to  repay  what  you  lent  me,  but  to 
mlkke  you  a  handsome  present  for  your  unparalleled  kind- 
ness towards  me.'  I  felt  half  tempted,"  concluded  Man- 
v«i«,  '*  to  knock  him  down  for  his  insc^ent  offer ;  but  on 


I 


fiCBNES  IN  PARIS. 


89^ 


feUow!""*  ^  '*'''"«*"  ''  ^'"""^  *^  ^""«  "^^^i»&  to  do  with  the 
Even  after  Manvers  had  finished  his  account  of  the  major 
I  continued  for  some  moments  silent  from  surprise ,  Su?': 
dignalion  at  the  idea  that  such  a  character  should  haiedl,^ 
semTth'  ^"^^^^''^^"r  society, and  further  to  have  rep^ 
sen  ed  the  baronet  and  myself  as  agents  for  the  arrangement 
of  his  affairs,  soon  restored  to  me  the  power  of  speech     Af 
ter  venting  forth  my  indignation  and  anger  at  hirprestimp 
ion,  m  no  very  measured  terms,  I  expressed  my  deterS" 

iStrt  ^''Z'^^'  ^^  ^«!^ld  "«ver  again  presume  to  take  the 
hberty  to  address  any  of  our  party.  - 

Manvers,  however  prevented  me.     «  Defer  it  yet  for  a. 
time,    he  observed.     -  You  are  now  quite  on  your  (rua^ 
and  consequently  incur  no  risk  of  being  duped  by  his^a^I 
fices.     It  will  be  curious  to  observe  hi!  style  of  maiceuJi" 
ing ;  for  such  a  proficient  is  he  in  the  science  of  swiS 

hat  you  can  scarcely  well  avoid  witnessing  some  mS' 
stroke  of  his  worthy  of  record."  'uaswr 

This  last  hint  remindec  r..-  r,f  the  plan  I  had  formed  at 
Boulogne  of  writing  my  adve.i  res  in  Paris,  andima^tnint 

mcorrectly,  I  now  admit)  that  such  a  chara;ter  as  nS 

of  hira  for  the  present  even  though  my  f.v^th^r  knowlefc 
of  him  should  be  purchased  at  the  price  o.  ^  kw  nounlff 
my  own  and  Sir  Brien's  ipone^.  ^    "^  ^^ 


i| 


88 


FRABCATIS;  OR 


CHAPTER  XV. 


On  our  return  to  the  hotel  we  beheld  Miss  O' Flaherty *» 
new  admirer,  the  Comte  de  Chevjlle,  handing  her  from  the 
carriage,  having  just  returned  from  a  drive  in  the  Champs 
Elys6es.  The  count  bowed  familiarly  to  Sir  Brien,  whose 
only  notice  of  this  attention  was  a  sullen  and  angry  jerk  of 
the  head,  that  was  meant  to  mark  his  disapprobation  of  the 
liberty. 

"  Where  is  Emily  V  he  roughly  demanded  of  his  sister, 
seeing  that  his  niece  was  not  of  the  party. 

"  She  remained  at  home.  I  sent  her  to  her  room  to  pre- 
pare herself  for  a  drive,  but  she  took  so  much  time  to  dress 
that  I  could  not  think  of  waiting  for  hef." 

The  fact  was.  Miss  O'Flaherty  had  seized  the  first  open- 
ing after  her  brotlwr's  departure  from  the  hotel  to  hurry  off 
with  the  assiduous  Frenchman,  being  well  satisfied  that  she 
was  more  likely  to  engross  his  attention  in  a  t^te-a-tete,  than 
if  her  lovely  niece  had  been  one  of  the  party. 

The  bare  idea  of  Emily  having  been  left  alone  in  the  hotel, 
and  that  merely  to  gratify  the  ridiculous  humour  of  her  aunt, 
aroused  all  the  angry  feelings  of  the  baronet,  and  Miss 
O'Flaherty  would  at  that  moment  have  experienced  the  full 
effects  of  his  resentment,  had  not  his  anxiety  to  sympathize 
with  Emily  in  her  ♦  cruel  disappointment,'  as  he  fondly 
termed  it,  impelled  him  in  search  of  her.  She  saw  him 
from  the  window  of  her  chamber  as  he  crossed  the  court- 
yard, and  bounding  down  stairs  with  all  the  alacrity  and  af- 


M 


•  ^ifi 


»OENE»   IN   PARK. 


m 


feeiion  of  her  years,  flenr  to  meet  him.  The  dispoaition  of 
Emily  wa,  too  aweet,  hernatur-  'oo  generous. TKo kind 
to  admit  of  her  having,  even  for  r.,e  moment,  enlert^r„ed, 

Sh^;^?/^"'""'""'"'  *'  ""'  '"'«''•  """due  of  he?  "urn! 
She  did  not  now  even  appear  as  one  who  had  met  wi'h  . 
mortification,  or  had  been  deprived  of  a  pleasure  :  or  if  ahe 
had  been  sensible  of  any  annoyance,  the  chagrin  it  hid  o^ 
caaioned  her  was  now  entirely  sunk  in  the  pleasure  she  d^ 
Pved  from  the  presence  of  her  uncle.  It'^waa  Swavg  , 
source  of  profound  delight  to  me  to  observed  waTm  Lid 

oten^'^'T  ""•I""  ""'  =""'?'"«  Prl  evinced  to^ari™  ^ 
old  frrend,  whose  testiness  of  humour  was  seldom  Droof 
mmst  her  gentleness  of  manner.  Whenever  th"y^Z 
after  a  separation  even  of  a  few  hours,  she  would  hZX 
him^eize  his  hand,  and,  with  all  the  fondness  of  one  duly 
appreciating  the  solicm.de  of  aneariy  and  generous  guanSaA 
inquire  if  there  was  any  thing  she  could  do  for  h'r 

thih  V!S''/f""5  .?'  •■?"•  ^*  '«»»«  half  a  «lozen  times, 
that  he  had  fatigued  himself  with  his  morning's  excureton 

ramb  e.  This  question  was  asked  not  out  of  curiosity  bat 
a  desire  to  know  if  he  had  really  been  entertained  I.  how- 
of  hisSf  ""^'i:  T"^'' '»  *"  baronet  the  selfish  coiI^t 

1. »"  ^J^^'  ??'''  '"T  ''**'*"  ""«'«'"  <!rie<I  Emily,  throwinir 
herself  on  his  neck,  "do  not  make  me  uncomforuSr  by 
condemning  my  aunt.  She  wished  to  take  me  with  her!  bw 
I  could  not  get  ready  in  lime.  However,  I  have  been  yei^ 
much  amused  indeed— very  much,  I  assure  you,  and  S 
no  regret  whatever  that  I  did  not  join  her  party"' 
a-   J?"  T>5-      [• '''"'''  "onsWerale  girl.  Emily,"  returned 

aunt  are  of  no  avail.     She  is  a  nasty,  selfish  old / 

e.pe^^dry'':;;:^^!"'''"'^'^''"'^-''^ 

"Old,  old,  did  I  say  old?"  rejoined  the  baronet,  some- 

H  3 


•■  il 


00 


FRASCATI^S;    OR 


what  taken  by  surprise*  ar^l  relinquishing  the  graceful  fori" 
of  his  niece. 

"  Yes,  you  said  old,  and  in  allusion  to  me,"  angrily  pur- 
sued Miss  O'Flaherty  ;  then,  with  a  toss  of  her  head,—'*  an 
old  maid  you  meant,  I  suppose,  but  I  can  promise  you,  Sii 
Brien,  that  1  shall  not  continue  an  old  maid  much  longei,'' 
and  she  moved  angrily  away. 

Manvers  and  I  had  remained  at  a  distance  attentively 
watching  this  little  scene,  and,  of  course,  with  very  different 
impressions  towards  the  several  actors  in  it.  \s  for  me,  I 
could  not  compare  the  generous  anxiety  evincud  by  Emily 
to  turn  the  current  of  her  uncle's  displeasure,  with  the  cold- 
ness and  selfishness  of  the  being  she  sought  to  justify,  with- 
out feeling  additional  disgust  for  Miss  O'Flaherty,  who  had 
not  scrupled  to  sacrifice  the  amusement  of  her  niece  to  her 
own  ridiculous  vanity,  and  that  for  speculation  ;  nor  did  I 
dismiss  my  reflections  on  the  subject  without  a  fervent  hope 
that,  as  a  punishment  for  her  heartlessness,  she  really  might 
have  de  Cheville  for  her  husband. 

At  the  foot  of  the  irairs  we  parted  with  Manvers,  who, 
with  the  major,  hafl  invited  by  Sir  Brien  to  dinner, 

and  Emily,  her  ur  ^: ,  yd  I  ascended  to  the  drawing-room. 
Here  another  family  >    ne  awaited  me. 

"  How  unfortunate  i''  exclaimed  Miss  O'Flaherty,  who 
had  preceded  us,  "  how  very  unfortunate  it  is,  that  a  pre- 
vious engagement  deprives  us  of  the  pleasure  of  the  count's 
company  to  dinner !." 

"And  pray  who  gave  you  permission  to  ask  him?" 
peevishly  inquired  Sir  Bri^n,  who  still  felt  exceedingly  sore 
on  the  subject  of  Emily's  disappointment. 

"  I  was  not  aware  that  I  required  any  permission,"  re- 
turned his  sister,  in  nearly  the  same  tone.  "  It  certainly  is 
not  a  matter  on  which  I  should  deem  it  at  all  necessary  to 
consult  you." 

"  So  it  appears,"  rejoined  Sir  Brien.     "  If  you  had  con- 
sulted me,  however,  you  would  have  been  disappointed,  for 
I  certainly  should  not  have  invited  him." 
Miss  O'Flaherty  replied,  that  she  supposed  she  was  no 


•CE^  ES   IN   PARIS.  I 

longer  to  consi  Vr  her  h  other's  a,  irtmenta  as  her  owr  id 
pretending  to  inf<  r  th  he  wanteJ  to  get  rid  of  her,  ihu- 
thanked  hoi  tars  that  she  could  keep  an  establishment  of 
her  own,  and  the  ugh t  it  hifh  time  to  see  about  it. 

Sir  Brien  attempted  to  h  .ow  that  she  had  entirely  misun- 
derstood his  meaning;  but  Miss  OTlaherly,  finding  the  in- 
terpretation .she  had  given  to  his  words  higiih  favourable  to 
her  matriino..ia  .gociation  with  the  count',  and  b  ,ng  de- 
sirous to  give  the  affair  some  appearance  of  necr=''  ler- 
filsted  in  maintain. ng  her  unkind  construction.  even 

attributed  her  brother's  conduct  to  certain  conte  .  ;  ma- 

trimonial speculations  of  his  own,  and  warml)  eighinir 
against  such  u  itural  treatment  towards  a  sistei  i  foreign 
lant  hinted  at  the  commiseration  she  must  excite,  if  driven 
by  .eh  inhuman  b' haviour  into  the  hateful  condition  of 
ni  irriage. 

"  Gently,  gently  ss  O'Flaherty,"  calmly  observed  the 
h-ronet,  making  a  sen  icircular  movement  at  the  same  time 
With  his  outstretched  hand.  "Do  not  think,"  he  pursued 
significantly,  "  even  with  all  your  skill  at  manceuvring,  to 
outwit  me.  I  see  very  clearly  now  what  your  object  is 
my  dear ;  but  if  you  must  have  a  husband,  choose  our  friend 
Morris  there.  In  that  case  your  property  will  bp  taken 
carciof,  instead  of  being  wasted  by  a  needy  foreigner;  and 
as  you  cannot,  of  course,  expect  any  family,  it  will  become 
our  dear  little  Emily's  in  time. 

I  felt  exceedingly  vexed,  that  Sir  Brien  should  have  ever 
imagined  such  a  thing  as  a  marriage  between  his  sister  and 
myself,  for  I  flattered  myself,  that  one  of  he  blood  of  the 
Morrises,  even  at  my  years,  might  aspire  .  a  muc  h  younffer 
woman  than  Miss  O'Flaherty.  Yet,  wiiix  all  my  annoyance 
1  could  not  avoid  smiling  and  chuckling,  to  think  how 
greatly  deceived  he  would  be  in  supposing  that  i  should  have 
no  family  in  the  event  of  an  union  with  his  sister. 

Thus  directly  appealed  to,  the  lady  surveyed  me  from 
head  to  foot,  as  if  to  discover  whether  there  was  any  thinff 
to  encourage  her  in  her  reply,  but  I  immediately,  and  unol^ 
served  by  the  baronet,  put  on  a  look  so  blapji  and  so  forbid- 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

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riU8CATi*er ;  oil 


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1 


ding,  that  in  the  ebune  of  a  minute  or  two  she  was  awed 
into  a  most  decided  negative. 

»•  What !  marry  Mr.  Morris— a  man  old  enough  to  be 
my  father !"  she  exclaimed,  with  well  affected  astonishment, 
accompanied  by  a  forced  hysterical  laugh.  "  Not  for  all  the 
world  would  I  marry  him  !  Dear  me,  who  ever  heard  of 
such  a  thing ?— Well,  that  is  too  good,  upon  my  word! 
Surely  you  were  jesting.  Sir  Brien." 

What  an  attack  was  this  on  me — on  me  Rambleton  Mor- 
ris, who  had  refused  the  overtures  of  at  least  fifty  different 
ladies  of  the  highest  rank,  fortune,  and  beauty  in  Ireland ! 
I  could  hare  quartrelled  with  Sir  Brien  for  having  exposed 
me  to  so  great  a  mortification,  and,  I  believe,  my  spleen 
against  his  sister  must  have  broken  forth  in  spite  of  all  my  ef- 
forts to  prevent  it,  had  not  Manvers  and  the  major  now  en- 
tered the  Toony 

During  dinner,  however,  I  recovered  my  self-pdssession, 
consoling  myself  with  the  philosophical  reflection,  that  any 
opinion  of  Miss  OTlaherty  could  not  impeach  the  charac- 
ter I  bore  of  being  an  universal  favourite  with  the  sex.  She, 
on  the  contrary,  appeared  dissatisfied,  and  affected  a  resent- 
ful carriage  towards  her  brother.  In  this  sullen  reserve  she 
the  m^re  studiously  persevered,  as  she  fanci^  that  any 
abatement  of  her  indignation  at  his  alleged  injustice,  would 
afford  him  an  opportunity  for  expostulating  with  her  on  the 
subject  of  her  intimacy  with  de  Cheville,  a  topic  which,  of 
all  others,  she  was  anxious  to  avoid. 

At  any  other  moment  the  baronet  would  have  felt  acutely, 
ttdd  openly  attacked  the  conduct  of  his  sister,  but  his  thoughts 
were  now  diverted  into  a  different  channel,  for  he  not  only 
,  experienced  consolation  but  delight  in  the  subtle  flattery  of 
Nimbleton.  The  major,  it  must  be  admitted,  had  uncom- 
mon tact  and  dexterity  in  administering  the  unction  of  praise, 
not,  however,  that  much  nicety  was  required  with  his  pre- 
sent companion,  for  he  generally  contrived  so  to  embody 
the  dose  in  the  shape  of  questions,  that  replies  were  indis- 
pensaWe,  by  which  means  Sir  Brien  had  the  two-fold  satis- 


80BNB8  IN  PARIS. 


&3 


faction  of  being  enabled  to  descant  on  his  own  merittf,  and  to 
see  Nimbleton  in  ecstacy  at  all  he  said. 

Miss  OTlaherty  might  have  continued  musing  the  whole 
evening  on  her  anticipated  union  with  the  count,  or  (what 
w  not  at  all  improbable)  on  the  frustration  of  every  latent 
hope  in  regard  to  myself,  had  I  not  charitably  resolved  to  re- 
lieve her  embarrassment  by  entering  into  conversation  with 
her.  She,  however,  seemed  to  consider  this  courtesy  on 
my  part  as  intrusive,  and,  in  fact,  I  had  another  motive  for 
this  sudden  condescension,  and  that  was  to  divert  her  atten- 
tion from  Manvers  and  Emily,  who  were  so  occupied  with 
each  other  as  apparently  to  Jorget  that  there  was  any  one 
present  besides  themselves. 

The  major  also  was  evidently  uncomfortable  at  the  rapid 
and  obvious  advancement  of  Manvers  in  the  esteem  and  fa- 
vour of  his  companion,  and  more  than  once  sought  to  join  in 
their  me-A'tdie,     Sir  Brien,  however,  prized  his  conversa- 
tion too  highly  to  admit  of  its  being  shared  with  another,  and 
the  major  was  compelled  t»  desist.     Foiled  in  the  attempt 
to  ingratiate  himself  with  Emily,  he  resolved,  if  possible,  to 
interrupt  the  happiness  of  his  rival,  and  with  this  view, 
availing  himself  of  a  remark  made  by  her,  tliat  she  had  not 
yet  seen  the  garden  of  the  Tuileries,  he  proposcsd  a  walk  for 
the  evening.     To  this  all  readily  assented,  and  Nimbleton 
now  manoBuvred  deeply  in  order  to  secure  the  arm  of  the 
young  lady.     This  project  was,  however,  defeated  by   a 
counter-mangeuvre  on  my  part ;  for  suggesting  to  Sir  Brien 
that  he  might  possibly  have  something  to  communicate  to 
his  friend,  and  that  therefore  it  would  be  as  well  to  take  the 
lead,  the  baronet  immediately  profited  by  my  hint.     It  was 
in  vain  that  the  major  protested  against  this  ungallant  pro- 
ceeding, and  insisted  on  escorting  the  ladies.     The  baronet 
had  recollected  some  egotistical  anecdote,  which  he  was 
anxious  to  impart  to  his  dear  friend,  and  passing  his  arm 
through  his,  hurried  him  off  in  advance. 


94 


nU8CATI*0;   OB 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


What  stranger  has  not  been  struck  with  admirationt  at 
the  fine  view  which  presents  itself  to  his  eye,  as  he  issues 
from  the  Rue  de  la  Paix  into  the  Place  Venddme  ?  What 
generous  eftiotions,  what  enthusiastic  feelings,  have  not  been 
€xcited  by  the  appearance  of  the  nohle  column  which  reans 
its  proud  head  in  the  centre  of  that  spacious  octagon,  record- 
ing in  highly  wrought  relief,  (he  victories  of  one  of  the 
greateist  warriors  of  the  earth,  and  commemorative  of  the; 
glories  of  one  of  the  first  countries  in  the  world !  And  then 
again,  how  few  have  failed  to  observe,  with  admiration,  the 
splendid  buildings  and  colonades  of  the  Rue  Castiglione, 
terminated  in  perspective  by  the  richly  gilded  railings  of  the 
Royal  Gardens,  over  which  the  dense  green  foliage  hangs 
in  luxuriant  freshness  ;  all  tending  to  complete  a  picture  of 
the  most  diversified  kind,  in  which  the  master-touches  of 
art,  science,  ^lory  and  nature,  are  equally  distinguishable. 
Neither  is  the  amalgamation  confined  simply  to  inanimate 
objects.  In  the  living  masses  which  hourly  throng  the 
gardens  beyond,  the  utmost  contrast  of  condition  and  cha- 
racter is  observable.  On  one  side  we  behold  some  re- 
nowned marshal  or  general  coming  in  immediate  contact 
with  a  perfumed  coeffeur  ox  maitre  de  danse^  the  lesser 
star  apprehending  no  eclipse  from  the  greater,  but  strutting 
by  him  with  an  air  of  the  most  perfect  indifference  j  and,  in 
the  true  spirit  of  French  nelf-complacency,  imagining  every 
eye  to  be  turned  in  admiration  on  himself.    And  whiat  sub-^ 


■CNX  nr  l>Aua. 


95 


^r^""^^  ^'^  "°*  *«  appearance  of  many  of  these 

d  f?l.?""'^^  *""""•"'  »'■  *«  •>»"«"  they  hwe 
hi™  iwl       ""!    ^"y  quarter  of  the  globe;   men  who 

^rL      S  if  ">'»«"'K"i»he<l  «l««"  in  tl,f  victJrirof  N^ 

«»Xio„  Tr^''""  ""*''"  *"  '■"8'«''"»  '"enee  of  aL 
mMt  „f  *«,.  ?"?  ""™y  »"''  impetoou.  spirits  of 
mT.°  •  T.'**"  •"  ''*''*  'hnink  into  lethargy:  Tnd  wiS 
lU-disguMed  discontent  on  their  brows,  they  m^e  musiTriv 

2  ^llJ"^"^  ''':  *•  "P'^^r  and  inertn^srit  "3 

eve^slZ^fr^"""'-   •^'"  """y  »  dark  and  sSg 

fo  "merh" 'wl,h.    -."k  *"  ™7f  •»"•  «»  wo.yh:-»aness  o, 

s:^E£SSiSS:srr-?rw^« 

desired  the  picture  to  bt  b^i^ht  to  toS^hen  1!;:?''?'^ 

g^sft-^sVS;e^o-E55 

desue  wss.  however,  not  complied  ^fy  and  ti^e  S| 


06 


f  RASCATI  S  J  Oil 


of  course  rejected.  Had  the  artist  introduced  the  whitd 
aae.  and  substituted  Charles  the  Tenth  for  Napoleon  Bona- 
parte, as  general-in-chief  at  the  battle  qf  Austerlitz,  hif 
work  would  instantly  have  been  admitted,  bat  as  an  histo- 
rical piece,  what  would  it  have  been  worth  ? 

But  to  return  to  the  garden.  Here  may  be  seen  the  gay 
Parisian  wife,  glancing  looks  of  passion  on  her  lover  over 
the  shoulder  of  her  aged  spouse,  who  caresses  and  smiles 
on  the  dog  he  is  leading  in  a  leash.  There  struts  the  master 
of  a  earning  house,  with  the  ribband  of  the  Legion  ot 
Honour  at  his  button-hole.  On  one  side  you  meet  some 
scowling  mntcliard  with  the  like  decoration  ;  and  perhaps 
on  the  other,  one  of  the  officiators  of  the  guillotine  moves 
carelessly  on,  with  all  the  importance  of  a  public  function- 
ary tet  even  in  him,  should  chance  throw  you  into  ad- 
ioining  seats  in  Uie  garden,  you  will  find  the  national  polite- 
ness; for  with  instinctive  civility  he  offers  you  a  pinch 
from  his  smiff-box,  and  talks  of  the  king,  the  chase,  reli- 
eion,  the  ministry,  Jesuits,  and  the  stagnation  of  trade,  with 
3ie  ease  and  freedom  of  a  man  conversant  with  one  and  all 
of  these  several  topics. 

Then,  how  delightful,  amid  breezes  charged  with  Uie 
fragrance  of  the  orange  trees,  and  with  the  perfume  ot  a 
thousand  different  plants  and  flowers,  while  mhahng  airs 
cooled  by  the  unceasing  play  of  the  water  into  the  numerous 
basins  around,  to  sit  and  watch  the  groups  that  pass  m  re- 
view before  you!  All  ranks  are  here  confounded,  for  no 
one  is  refused  admittance  who  can  afford  to  wear  a  hat, 
and  to  dispense  with  wooden  shoes.  Women  of  all  coun- 
tries  are  here  to  be  met  with;  and  certainly  it  is  highly  gra- 
tifving  to  an  Englishman  to  observe,  that  in  this  congress 
of  beauty,  the  fair  deputies  of  his  own  country,  not  only 
are  entiUed  to,  but  are  allowed  precedency ;  and  such  is  the 
effect  producedby  this  assemblage  of  loveliness,  at  the  stil 
soft  hour  of  twilight,  that  cold  must  be  the  heart  indeed  that 
fails  ta  acknowledge  the  influence  of  woman's  sweet  do- 

™Tcould  almost  have  been  tempted  to  breathe  something 


SCENES  IN  PARIS. 


07 


impassioned  even  in  the  ear  of  Miss  O'Flaherty,  had  she 
chanced  to  have  been  near  me  at  the  moment.  Fortunately 
for  me,  however,  she  was  not,  and  1  consoled  myself  with 
observing  the  rapid  progress  made  by  Manvers  and  Emily 
in  each  other's  esteem.  The  scene  altogether  was  well 
suited  to  such  a  purpose;  for  as  the  gathering  shades  of 
night  filled  up  the  long  avenues,  giving  a  more  sombre  hue 
to  the  waters,  their  words  flowed  in  that  softened  accent, 
which  the  impression  arising  from  the  hour  of  still  and 
glimmering  twilight,  gives  to  the  whispered  communication^ 
of  lovers.  At  length,  however,  the  rude  drums  announced 
that  the  hour  for  departure  was  come ;  and  slowly  and  re- 
luctantly the  small  groups  began  to  move  ofl'in  the  direction  ' 
of  the  various  gates.  In '  a  few  minutes  the  garden  was 
completely  cleared,  and  we  returned  home.  Here  Manvers 
took  leave  of  us  for  the  evening,  and  as  I  witnessed  the 
evident  reluctance  with  which  he  tore  himself  from  his 
companion,  I  could  not  help  repining  that  age  was  so  fast 
cooling  the  once  impetuous  fires  of  my  own  bosom. 

The  baronet  and  Nimbleton,  who  had  been  separated 
from  us  during  the  evening,  were  not  yet  returned ;  and  as 
my  rest  had  been  sadly  disturbed  the  preceding  night,  I  re- 
tired at  an  early  hour  to  bed.  A  dead  silence  reigned  in 
the  chambers  on  either  side  of  me,  and  I  began  to  hope  that 
there  was  some  chance  of  my  enjoying  a  night  of  undis- 
turbed repose,  when  suddenly  my  ears  were  assailed  by  the 
loud  declamation  of  an  English  actor,  in  the  room  recendy 
occupied  by  the  player  and  his  papist  wife.  In  a  voice  not 
unhke  the  roar  of  a  hurricane,  he  now  began  with  "  Fare- 
well the  tranquil  mind  !  Farewell  content ;"  then  becoming 
gradually  more  impassioned,  he  in  the  fury  of  his  gesticu- 
lation, upset  a  table,  and  a  crash  of  glasses  instantly  ensued. 
This  accident  gave  a  new  direction  to  his  thoughts,  and  in 
the  same  voice  of  thunder  he  had  used  in  Othello*s  solilo- 
quy, he  exclaimed  "  Zounds!  is  the  brandy  all  spilt?" 

As  I  had  hoped,  this  catastrophe  put  an  end  to  his  deaf- 
ening declamation,  and  settling  myself  in  bed,  I  was  pro- 
paring  to  enjoy  some  little  repose,  when  I  hearf  my  neigh- 

VOL.  I. 1 


98 


fiuiCA.'n's;  OK 


boar  in  the  bla^k  ni^fhteap  deaiie  a  servant  to  leave  him  an 
extra  candle,  as  he  intended  to  sit  up  late.  This,  indeed, 
was  alarming  intelligence  to  me,  for  I  recollected  his  deolar 
tation  to  Nimbleton  in  the  gaming-house,  and  of  course  ex- 
pected that  he  was  about  to  pass  the  night  in  amendin|[  his 
system.  This  idea  suggested  reflections  to  me  in  which  I 
had  not  hitherto  mdulged ;  and  as  I  saw  it  was  m  vain  to 
expect  any  sleep  during  the  continuance  of  the  little  gentle- 
man's calculations,  I  consoled  myself  with  the  hope  that  I 
might  derive  even  greater  advantage  from  the  development 
of  his  system,  than  Sir  Brian  had  obtained  from  that  of 
Ableton  Hazard,  at  Boulogne.  Fatigue,  however,  was  even 
more  powerful  ^an  curiosity ;  and  during  a  short  interval 
of  silence,  while  the  little  man  was  busily  occupied  in  pre- 
paring his  car^B,  and  adjusting  his  table,  chairs,  &c.,  I  fell 
uito  a  profound  sleep,  from  which  I  did  not  wake  until 
a  l&te  hour  the  following  morning. 


90KHMM  Of  PARH. 


99 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


On  desoending  to  breakfast  I  met  Sir  Brien,  who  ex- 
pressed great  regret  that  Nimbleton  was  compelled  to  leare 
Paris  on  important  business  for  a  few  days. 

"  It  must  have  been  something  of  great  moment  that  has 
called  him  away/'  he  pursued,  **for  he,"  said  he,  **  had  not 
even  time  to  call  at  his  bankei^s,  and  was  obliged  to  borrow 
twenty  Louis  of  me.*' 

This  sudden  departure  of  the  major  somewhat  burprised 
me,  for  I  did  not  suppose  that  he  would  so  readily  relinquish 
his  designs  on  the  baronet;  for  though  his  borrowing  the 
tweeny  Louis  was  what  was  exactly  to  be  expected,  yet  it 
seemed  so  unlikely  that  he  would  let  him  off  at  so  cheap  a 
rate,  that  I  knew  not  well  what  to  midLe  of  the  circumstance. 
It  was  not  long,  however,  before  I  obtained  a  clue  to  the  mo- 
tives which  had  induced  the  major's  very  sudden  departure. 

At  breakfast  were  two  young  men  who  had  cTrived  at  tl^e 
hotel  the  preceding  evening ;  one  of  whom  in  the  course  of 
conversation  observed,-— 

"  We  travelled  from  Geneva  in  company  with  a  gentle- 
man of  highly  insinuating  address,  to  whom,  as  we  approadi- 
ed  the  frontier,  we  communicated  our  apprehension  of  being 
deprived  of  some  contraband  watches  and  jewellery  which 
we  had  prepared  as  presents  for  our  female  friends  in  Eng- 
land. He  very  politely  undertook  to  have  them  passed  for 
us  without  inconvenience,  an  offer  which  we  readily  and 
tbinkfullpr  accepted,  leaving  him  to  accomplish  the  objee 


100 


rRAflOATl's;  OR 


by  whatever  means  he  thought  best.  The  better  to  avoid 
suspicion  as  he  said,  he  took  an  outside  seat;  and  my  friend 
and  myself  were  congratulating  ourselves  in  having  met  with 
so  obliging  a  person,  when  lo  !  on  our  arrival  at  the  barter 
town,  the  conducteur  informed  us  that  the  gentleman  bad 
got  down  about  a  mile  behind,  and  had  not  yet  made  his  ap- 
pearance. Under  the  impression  that  our  acquaintance  had 
alighted  with  the  view  of  passing  unobserved  into  the  place, 
we  at  first  felt  no  anxiety  on  the  subject,;  but  as  the  hours 
succeeded  each  other  without  bringing  with  them  our  ac- 
commodating fellow-traveller,  we  finally  presumed  that  we 
had  been  duped,  and  that  even  without  having  the  satis- 
faction of  being  enabled  to  communicate  our  loss  to  the  po- 
lice. After  delaying  our  journey  two  or  three  days  in  the 
Tague  hope  of  hearing  something  of  him  on  the  road,  and 
making  a  thousand  fruitless  inquiries,  we  at  length  deter- 
mined that  our  loss  was  irremediable,  and  proceeded  on  our 
journey  to  Paris,  where  we  arrived  late  last  night." 

I  immediately  conjectured  that  the  individual  who  had 
taken  so  lively  an  interest  in  the  affairs  of  these  young  men, 
was  no  other  than  our  friend  the  major.  Their  description 
of  his  person,  moreover,  was  such  as  warranted  the  surmise, 
and  I  was  aware  that  he  had  arrived  in  Paris,  from  Geneva, 
on  the  very  day  that  we  did.  ^  In  order  to  satisfy  myself,  I 
asked  the  young  gentleman  who  had  given  the  account, 
whether  his  obliging  fellow-traveller  was  at  all  conversant 
with  phrenology. 

"  Perfectly  so,"  he  replied,  with  a  glance  that  seemed  to 
inquire  whether  there  was  any  connexion  between  Nimble- 
ton  and  myself.  "  He  examined  my  head,  and  declared 
that  it  gave  indication  of  more  talents  than  even  Creichton 
ever  possessed." 

*•  'Tie  the  major,  by  my  soul !"  exclaimed  Colonel  Kill- 
heiress,  a  gentleman  who  was  breakfasting  with  the  widow 
M*Lofty. 

My  mention  of  phrenology,  and  the  declaration  of  the 
colonel,  that  the  thief  was  no  other  than  the  gentleman  whose 
profound  science  had  been  exercised  on  his  cranium^  threw 


tOENSS  IN  PARIf. 


^1 


my  friend,  the  baronet,  into  one  of  his  violent  fits  of  rag;e, 
and  standing  up  near  the  breakfast  table,  he  demanded  of 
the  colonel  whetlier  he  meant  his  friend  Major  Nimbleton. 

The  young  travellers,  who  had  been  so  unceremoniously 
plundered,  turned  their  eyes,  with  an  expression  of  distrust 
and  suspicion,  on  Sir  Brien,  on  hearing  him  call  the  person 
accused  his  friend,  while  the  colonel,  after  indulging  in  a 
titter  with  the  widow,  inquired,  with  a  sarcastic  smile,  if  he 
was,  indeed,  on  terras  of  intimacy  with  the  major. 

*♦  Oh  yes,"  eageriy  exclaimed  Mrs.  M'Lofty,  "  he  is,  in- 
deed,  that  gentleman's  friend.'* 

"Then,  without  a  doubt,  Nimbleton  must  be  the  thief," 
resumed  the  colonel,  joined  in  a  loud  laugh  with  the  widow 
at  the  baronet's  expense. 

The  fury  of  the  latter  now  became  such,  that,  but  for  my 
intervention,  he  would  have  dashed  the  tea-um  at  the  head 
of  his  insulter.  This  the  other  certainly  richly  merited,  andl  in- 
terposed, not  from  any  regard  to  the  safety  of  Killheiress, 
but  because  I  perceived  the  necessity  for  settling  the  affair 
in  a  proper  and  gentlemanly  manner.  Fortunately,  neither 
Emily,  nor  Miss  O'Flaherty  were  present,  and'  Manvew 
commg  in  at  the  moment,  we  prevaUed  on  Sir  Brien,  to  re- 
Uremto  the  garden,  where  the  tempest  of  his  rage  was 
somewhat  appeased  by  the  assurance  we  gave  him,  that 
every  possible  reparation  should  be  required  at  the  hands 
of  his  antagonist. 

Entrusted  with  my  friend's  honour,!  '>w  returned  to  the 
breaiifast  room,  and  approaching  the  cc  Oiiel,  observed,  in  a 
decided  and  emphatic  tone,—"  the  chief  object  of  this  vi- 
sit I  shall  explain  elsewhere ;  but  as  you  have  insulted  my 
whole  party,  I,  for  one,  have  a  right  to  express  my  opinion 
of  you,  which  is,  that  your  conduct  has  been  any  other 
than  that  of  a  gentleman.  Now,  sir,  a  word  with  you  in 
private."  ^ 

The  colonel  affected  great  anger  on  hearing  me  thus  bold- 
ly avow  my  opinion  of  him.  "  Name  your  place,  air,"  he 
exclaimed,  in  a  loud  blustering  tone,  "name  your  place, 
and  I  lyiU  meet  you  in  five  minutes." 

I  2 


102 


tiuuscATi*s ;  OR 


1  of  course  considered  this  as  a  downright  challenge  to 
myself,  and  as  I  never  refuse  an  invitation  of  the  kind  when 
it  ii  offered,  I  determined  at  once  to  meet  the  colonel.  An 
instant's  reflection,  however,  satisfied  me,  that  in  so  doing 
I  subjected  myself  to  a  charge  of  selfishness  and  injustice ; 
for  Sir  Brien's  vengeance  had,  decidedly,  a  prior  claim  to 
mine,  and  entrusted  as  I  had  been  with  the  honour  of  my 
friend,  it  was  utterly  out  of  the  question  that  I  could  accept 
the  challenge  until  he  had  obtained  entire  satisfaction  for 
the  more  immediate  insult  offered  to  him.  Indeed,  accord- 
ing to  the  rules  laid  down  in  that  inimitable  work,  *•  Ha- 
milton's Royal  Code  of  Honour,"  general  usage  was  against 
my  meeting  Killheiress ;  for,  however  annoying  to  my  own 
feelings  it  was  to  yield  priority  in  such  a  case  to  another, 
as  a  man  of  honour,  entertaining  correct  notions  of  the  eti- 
quette of  duelling,  I  could  not  do  otherwise  than  suffer  my 
friend,  as  the  first  offended,  to  take  the  lead.  Still,  as  in 
addition  to  my  own  inclination  for  the  thing,  nothing  would 
have  given- me  greater  pleasure  than  to  stand  between  the 
baronet  and  danger,  1  employed  all  my  eloquence  to  induce 
his  compliance  with  my  wishes.  Like  a  true  Irishman, 
however,  he  rejected  all  my  arguments,  and  even  seemed 
inclined  to  take  offence  at  my  even  naming  it,  so  that  I  was 
of  necessity  compelled  to  abandon  to  him  the  post  of  ho- 
nour, which  he  claimed  as  his  right. 

The  reader  will  easily  understand  my  disappointment  on 
this  occasion.  The  colonel  was  the  favoured  suitor  of  the 
widow,  who,  on  hearing  what  passed  between  us,  used 
all  her  exertions  to  prevent  a  meeting.  Perhaps  she  dis- 
covered something  pleasing  in  me,  so  at  least  I  had  reason 
to  believe,  and  what  led  me  into  the  supposition  that  she 
was  even  more  anxious  about  my  safety  than  that  of  Kill- 
heiress,  was  the  fact  of  her  appearing  perfectly  assured  and 
radier  encouraging  her  admirer  to  fight  than  not,  when  she 
discovered  that  Sir  Brien  wa3  to  be  his  antagonist.  It  ispos- 
sible  however,  that  a  desire  to  see  the  baronet  punished  for 
the  ridicule  and  laughter  he  had  succeeded  in  raising  against 
her  the  preceding  morning,  iright  have  had  aome  influence 


SCENEf   IN   PARIS. 


103 


over  her  conduct,  still  my  exemption  from  danger  seemed 
also  to  have  some  weight  with  he/ ;  and  this  I  am  the  more 
inchned  to  believe,  because  I  am  aware  that  this  concern 
for  -le  IS  by  no  means  unusual  with  the  sex,  although,  to 
be  candid,  I  could  never  positively  tell  why,  since  in  their 
presence  my  natural  modesty,  and  abhorrence  of  self-cora- 
mendation  usually  prevailed  so  far  as  to*make  me  conceal 
such  of  my  qualities  as  are  more  immediately  entitled  to 
admiration  and  esteem. 

Killheiress  now  appeared  somewhat  more  composed, 
and  assumed  a  tolerable  air  of  courage  when  he  found  that 
Sir  Brien  was  to  be  his  opponent.  Nor  is  this  at  all  sur- 
prising, for  the  colonel  had  been  listening  to  certain  flatter- 
mg  details  of  my  conduct  in  the  affair  at  Boulogne,  which 

rather  led  him  to   rejoice  in  the  present  arrangement 

Every  thing  having  been  finally  settled,  Manvers,  the  baro- 
net and  myself,  repaired  to  a  sequestered  spot  in  the  Hois 
de  Boulogne,  whither  we  were  immediately  followed  by 
Colonel  Killheiress  and  his  friend.     Shots  were  exchanged 
without  effect,  when  the  latter  proposed  an  accommodaUon, 
but  this  I  peremptorily  objected  to,  since,  being  entrusted' 
with  the  honour  of  Sir  Brien,  I  could  not  consider  myself 
as  having  conscienciously  discharged  the  duties  of  a  frif,ul 
without  insisting  on  the  fullest,  reparation   for  the  insult 
which  he  had  received.     The  baronet  behaved  like  a  lion; 
in  short  he  reminded  me  of  myself,  for  when  I  handed  him 
the  second  pistol  he  bade  me  lose  no  time  in  preparing  that 
which  had  just  been  discharged;  precisely  my  own  request 
ma  similar  encounter  at  a  Gal  way  election.    At  the  se« 
'^•na  discharge  Killheiress  received  his  adversary's  ball  in 
the  thigh ;  only  a  flesh  wound  to  be  sure,  but  even  as  such 
i  was  sorry  for  it,  since  it  prevented  me  from  meeting  the 
wu-  "*y*®^^»  ^  ^^^  *»®®»  determined  on  our  setting  out. 
WhOe  lamenting  my  disappointment  to  the  baronet  on 
our  return,  Manvers  reminded  me  that  at  the  moment  when 
1  insisted  that  something  effectual  should  take  place  between 
toe  combatants  before  they  left  the  ground,  the  friend  of 
ikiUheiresa  had  declared  that  I  merely  wished  the  colonel 


104 


FRASCATIS;   OR 


to  be  disabled,  in  order  that  the  meeting  agreed  upon  be- 
tween ourselves  might  le  avoided.  This  observation,  soli- 
citous as  I  then  was  about  Sir  Brien's  safety  and  honour, 
had  escaped  my  attention  ;  but  when  Manvers  now  repeated 
it,  I  was  so  incensed  that  I  insisted  on  returning  instantly, 
and  proving  to  the  utterer  of  the  foul  calumny  that  I  was  not 
to  be  trifled  with. 

Sir  Brien  strongly  opposed  my  resolution.  He  was  anx- 
ious, he  declared,  that  the  past  should  be  utterly  buried  in 
oblivion,  whereas,  on  the  contrary,  if  I  persisted  in  involv- 
ing myself  in  a  quarrel  with  the  colonel's  friend,  it  would 
only  have  a  tendency  to  attract  additional  notice  to  a  cir- 
cumstance he  wished  should  be  forgotten.  He  even  made  me 
promise  to  take  no  further  steps  in  the  matter,  and  entreated 
me,  in  the  name  of  the  long  friendship  which  had  subsisted 
between  us,  to  dismiss  these  incautious  expresions  from  my 
mind  altogether,  adding,  that  my  reputation  as  a  man  of 
courage  stood  too  high  to  be  effected  by  any  insinuations  to 
the  contrary.  Of  this  I  was  sufficiently  aware  myself;  but 
though  I  consented  to  suppress  mv  feelings,  and  refrain 
from  demanding  immediate  satisfaction  for  the  base  insinua- 
tion, regard  for  O'Flaherty  was  my  only  inducement  for 
doing  so. 

On  our  return  to  the  hotel  we  found  that  the   affair  on 
which  we  had  been  out  was  the  theme  of  general  conversa- 
tion, and  had  even  reached  the  ears  of  Emily  and  her  aunt, 
both  of  whom  had  been  thrown  into  the  greatest  consterna- 
tion and  alarm ;  feelings  that  were  not  a  little  increased  by 
the  statement  made  by  some  of  the  party,  that  the  aim  of 
Killheiress  was  well  known  to  be  unerring,  nor  were  their 
fears  appeased  for  some  moments  after  the  baronet's  appear- 
ance.    Emily,  in  particular,   seemed  much  agitated,  and 
throwing  her  delicate  arms  around  the  neck  of  I»r  uncle, 
she  now  gave  a  loose  to  the  wild  expression  of  her  feelings, 
alternately  reproaching  him  for  his  rashness,  and  congratu- 
lating him  on  his  escape  from  injury.    Every  individual 
present  was  more  or  less  touched  by  the  natural  and  affec- 
tionate exclamations  which  she  uttered,  and  Manvers,  in 


SCENES  IN  PARIS. 


105 


particular,  who  stood  apart  watching  the  scene  with  deep 
earnestness  of  manner,  seemed  highly  affected. 

Another  annoyance  now  awaited  me.  Presuming  too 
much  on  my  forbearance,  and  ignorant  of  my  motives  for 
not  courtmg  a  hostile  meeting,  tlie  colonel's  friend  thought 

K!?^fL  ^Ir ''i"*^  ^''  ^\'^?^"'  ^  ^  ^««""g  «f  cowardice  in 
Z'J^^i^^'^'K^-'^l^^  ^"  the  hotel,  that  nothing  but  a 
hlttfi.  ^^''}SJ>hhged  to  keep  my  engagement  with  Kill- 

tllTfU  -"^"^^^  T  *^  **PP^«^  ^"  accommadation  be- 
tween  the  principals  after  the  first  exchange  of  shots. 

JNoUimg,  certainly  can  be  more  painful  and  degrading  to 

he  feelings  of  a  brave  man,  than  to  know  that  his  courage 

WpSn  TTT'  ""H"'  "^*  ^"^>^  ^^«°*  '  iiderations  of 
fnendsh  p,  but  trom  an  honorable  adherence  to  his  woid, 

t.tJnn  !fh-  *"*  '''  ^"^^^^  ^^^"  "°^^'  the  infamous  impu' 
a\!T*r.  ^  l"^^^  precisely  my  case ;  for  the  pledge  I  had 
Si  •  .  ''f/?"«t/o»«pletely  tied  me  downf  until  finaUy 
goaded  into  a  thirst  for  vengearice,  and  finding  it  impossible 
for  a  man  of  my  high  spirit  to  hear  himself  thus  traduced 
with  mpumty,  I  immediately  resolved  to  go  in  search  of 
my  friend,  and  tell  him  that  unless  he  absolved  me  Lm  my 
engagement,  I  must  inevitably  forfeit  all  my  hard-earned 
claims  to  the  title  of  a  man  of  honour,  and  an^rishman 
In  this  intention  I  was  kindly  anticipated  ;  for  learninir 

hlt'Tu  u  ^""^"'^'  ^"^"'^^^  i"  b^  t^*«  ^"^iend  of  Km? 
heiress,  the  baronet  was  at  length  sensible  of  the  delicacy 
ot  my  position,  and  hastening  to  absolve  me  from  my  en- 
E'f'  T'  T  ^'  *\^  ^"t^^»^«  «f  ™y  apartment,  at  the 

t21  J  ?  ^  ""'!  ^^°"*  *^  ^^^^«  it  in  search  of  him. 
This  conduct  was  what  was  to  have  been  expected  from 
him,  for  as  a  man  of  strict  honour  himself,  he  knew  per^ 
fectlyw||  my  feelings  were  on  the  occasion;  buth^even 
carriedW  kindness  further,  for  he  now  offe;ed  to  beihe 
bearer  ^any  communication  from  me  to  my  insulter.  No- 
neTs^Ttf  w^rl™  and  satisfaction  at  the  readi- 

mvJl  a\  f^  ^"^".  ^^™^  ^*^^^^^d  i"  furtherance  of 

hIZZ      '  ^""^  '  t^^  ^'*'*"^"^  ^°^  *h«  considerate  assurance 
ne  now  gave  me  that  every  opportunity  should  be  afforded 


106 


TRASCATI'S  ;  OR 


for  maintaining  my  well  known  character  for  co«!ff :  ,^? 
Sred  that  he  would  instantly  go  »n  quest  of  the  mdm 
dual  and  demand  an  immediate  meetrag ;  but  as  I  did  not 
fwnk  O^e  affair  was  of  a  natore  to  require  so  much  prompti- 

^^rr^  r/rfrt  «i£i 

fast  the  following  morning,  I  «»f '"^'''"'i'^^'^XS 
whom  I  had  P™PO-dto  c.Uo»t  ha^acta^ly^^^  oil  1»  Fl^_ 

rence  the  evenmg  before !     In  a  siaie  oi  mg  , 

citement,  I  rushe'd  into  the  coffee  "°™J»  *!,™!XP^^ 

that  he  naa  aeciarc  ,  ^  a  hostUe  communication 

waited  the  whole  of  the  flay  lor  «»  ""»  "    ,      remain  any 

life  did  I  lose  all  command  over  my  feelmgs ,   »oj  JV*"; 
with  my  character. 


m 


■CINE8  IN  PARIS. 


107 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 


During  the  day  I  accompanied  Manvere  and  Emily,  to 
see  the  several  sights  about  town ;   but  even  these,  varied 
and  curious  as  they  were,  had  little  tendency  to  dissipate  my 
chagrm,  nor  was  it,  indeed,  until  nearly  a  week  afterwards 
that  1  began  to  recover  my  wonted  serenity  of  mind.    This 
was  m  a  great  measure  effected  in  consequence  of  my  at- 
tention bemg  engrossed  by  Ableton  Hazard's  system  for 
mnmng&t  rouge  etnoir,  which  I  now  began  to  put  in  prac- 
tice at  Frascatis,  devoting  aU  my  time  Tand  energy  to  the 
pursuit.    I  soon,  however,  discovered  it  to  be  less  effica- 
cious than  the  baronet  had  given  me  to  understand,  and  in- 
aeea  than  I  had  first  imagined ;  for  although  we  both  had 
m  the  onset  acquired  a  good  deal  of  notoriety  for  our  soirited 
backing  of  the  system,  we  finally  not  only  lost  what  we 
had  previously  won,  but  were  compelled  to  draw  largely  on 
our  own  hitherto   untouched  capitals.      My  addicUon  to 
this  ruinous  amusement  was  now  becoming  confirmed,  and 
1  perceived  my  purse  growing  lighter  each  day,  unUl  I 
had  reached  that  point  of  deliberation  when  most  players 
usuaUy  resolve  to  give  the  thing  up  altogether,  as  soon  as 
they  shiU  have  won  back  what  they  have  already  lost,— a 

l2J'u!T^'l^T  ^"^>''  ^°"^^  ^'  ^«  P»'  i°  Practice  with 
enect;  but  alas!  the  attempt  of  each  succeeding  day  only 
eavei  you  further  removed  from  the  object  you  are  anxious 
10  attaiu !  »      .^ 

At  ev«ry  visit  to  Frascatis  I  now  determined  to  olav  a 


108 


FRASCATl's;   OR 


Steadier  game ;  but  loss,  deep  loss,  was  iav.nably  the  result 
of  all  my  plans  and  combinations.     I  moreover  consumed 
the  opinions  of  men  who  had  been  ruined  at  play,  and  who 
for  twenty  years  had  attentively  remarked  the  AuctuaUonsof 
the  game,  pricking  and  preserving  the  cards  of  calculao^^ 
during  the  whole%f  that  period.     With  the  most  implicit 
faith  I  listened  to  their  report,  that  money  was  to  be  gained 
at  it,  and  that  nothing  more  was  requisite  for  this,  than  capi- 
tal,  prudence,  temper,  and  waiting  until  the  g^^^hould  es- 
tablish itself  in  some  decided  manner.     I  ^ven^ferredwim 
those,  whom  long  experience  and  assiduity  had  enabled  to 
invent  infallible  systems ;  but  who,  in  the  course  of  their  stu- 
dies, and  the  liberal  expenditure  necessary  to  the  acqui  ement 
of  their  science,  had  necessarily  left  themselves  without  a 
shilling  to  bring  it  into  practice. 

From  none  of  these  sages,  however,  could  I  learu  the  se- 

cret  of  winning,  not  that  1  am  ^^"g««f «"?'  ft  not  them- 
them  of  concealing  it,  but  because  they  \^'^ ''''^\^'^^ 
selves ;  so  at  least,  I  have  reason  to  believe,  if  any  proot  can 
be  adduced  from  the  fact,  that  whenever  they  could  succeed 
in  raising  money  to  play,  they  invariably  lost  it.  1  now  be 
TariTcauLis!  in%rop'ortion  to  the  decre-e  of  m^^^ 
funds,  and  even  when  all  1  possessed  was  go-^^,  such  w^^^ 
the  i^terestl  began  to  take  in  the  gam«,  that  withouplay^^^^^ 
a  single  coup,  I  contented  myself  with  sittmg  at  the  table 
pricking  a  card  for  hours  together.  ^„«„af„i 

^  The  baronet,  who  had  latterly  been  equally  "tisvi^3««^^^^^^ 
with  myself,  was  not  to  be  disheartened  by  these  repeated 
leLrbut  Earnestly  persisting  that  Ableton  Hazzard's  sys- 
tem was  a  sound  one,  always  spoke  with  confidence  of  r 
gaining  the  sums  he  had  lost.  As  for  me,  having  by  this 
^acquired  considerable  knowledge  of  the  fences  of  the 
.game,  I  determined  to  sit  down  and  make  out  a  «ystf  m  oi 
my  own.  This  was  a  great  source  of  amusement  to  me, 
whUe  awaiting  the  arrival  of  a  remittance  from  my  banker  in 
London,  and  I  began  to  think  that  the  conduct  of  the  little 
mant  the  black  silk  night-cap  was  not  so  veiy  exti^ordmaiy 
.,A«,  oil      T  piorftover.  had  another  occupation,  tor  1  now 


iCENES  IN  PARIS* 


109 


devoted  all  the  time  I  could  well  spare  from  this  soul-absorb- 
ing  pursuit,  to  the  completion  of  my  *  Tour.'  This,  how- 
ever, was  a  matter  of  secondary  consideration  with  me,  and 
should  It  be  found  to  contain  faults  (which,  by  the  by,  I  can 
scarcely  think  possible)  they  must  be  attributed  to  my  hav- 
ing had  two  important  works  in  hand  at  the  same  moment. 
Utten,  even  when  most  interested  in  n^y  book,  the  fascinat- 
ing rouge  et  noir  would  obtrude  itself  on  my  imagination, 
and  If  any  improvement  in  my  system  suggested  itself,  I  in- 
stantly laid  aside  the  manuscript,  and  recommenced  those 
calculations,  which  I  firmly  believed  would,  in  the  end 
prove  the  means  of  obtaining  exhaustless  wealth.  ' 

At  length  my  remittance  arrived,  and  within  twenty-four 
hours  after  Its  receipt  the  proprietors  at  Frascatis  had  pocke- 
ted  It  all,  leaving  me  no  other  consolation  than  that  arisinir 
trom  the  conviction  that  my  system  was  good  for  nothing. 
It  IS  astonishing  how  philosophical  a  man  often  becomes 
alter  having  lost  all  his  money  at  play,  and  how  freely  he 
censures  others  for  a  folly,  through  the  indulgence  of  which 
he  has  been  ruined  himself.    I  now  scarcely  could  keep  mv 
temper  with  my  friends,  when,  rendered  destitute  by  their 
•repeated  losses  at  Frascatis,  they  came  to  borrow  money 
from  me.    Many  of  these  spoke  very  slightingly  of  me  in 
consequence,  and  great  ingraUtude  such  conduct  evinced, 
since  I  was  always  exceedingly  liberal  with  my  advice     The 
fact  was,  however,  that  I  had  no  money  to  lend  them  al- 
though I  was  too  much  a  man  of  the  world  to  admit  any  thinir 
half  so  injurious  to  my  reputation,  as  that  I  was  poor. 
Moreover,  I  chose  rather  to  appear  ungenerous,  than  to  let 
them  perceive  that  I  was  suffering  from  embarrassments  pro- 
duced  by  an  infatuation  which  I  now  so  rigidly  censured  in 

The  interval  between  the  loss  of  my  first  remittance,  and 
tne  amval  of  the  second,  I  now  devoted  exclusively  to  mv 
work.  Even  during  this  short  period  I  made  rapid  proffress 
m  It,  as  you  may  perceive,  reader;  and  looking  over  the 
manuscript  was  quite  delighted  and  surprised  at  what  I  had 
produced.    Indeed,  I  could  not  help  thinking  it  highly  scan- 


no 


rilA8CATI*S;   OR 


dalous  in  me  to  have  wasted  so  much  valuable  time  at  play, 
when  by  my  writings  I  might  have  been  of  so  great  service 
to  mankind.  I  have  always  been  a  great  philantropist,  and 
this  feehng  now  induced  me  lo  make  somethmg  very  like  a 
vow  never  more  to  play  at  rouge  et  noir,  but  to  turn  author, 
and  devote  myself  entirely  to  the  improvement  of  my  fellow 

men.  ,  .         ^j .,, 

My  second  remittance  was  not  long  m  arriving.    &uu 
true  to  the  principle  I  had  now  adopted,  I  did  not  indulge 
in  play  to  any  extent,  simply  visiting  Frascatis  occasionally 
during  the  evening,  and  only  then  because  I  was  impelled 
by  habit  rather  than  inclination.    Each  day  I  became  more 
assiduous  in  my  writing,  and  in  fact  the  very  numerous 
friends  who  did  me  the  honour  to  dine  with  me,  encour- 
aged me  in  the  pursuit ;  for  as  I  generally,  distrusting  my 
own  judgment,  read  my  composition  aloud,  in  order  to  de- 
rive the  benefit,  of  their  opinions,  they  appeared  so  com- 
pletely struck  with  the  beauty  of  what  I  had  written,  that 
they  advised  me  by  all  means  to  persevere.    Some  of  these 
1  knew  to  be  men  of  great  learning,  and  well  skilled  m 
criticism,^  and  all  under  infinitely  too  great  obligations  to 
me  to  leave  even   the  shad6w  of  a  pretext  for  doubting 
their  sincerity.    Indeed,   it  was  rather  fortunate  that  my 
literary  labours  met  with  such  approbation,  for  I  w^  not 
only  thereby  instigated  to  the  acquirement  of  a  moderate 
share  of  commendation,  but  preserved  from  absolute  rum 

in  the  gaming  houses.  .  /.   i    r  *u    n 

Even  the  baronet  was  now  painfully  satisfied  ol  the  lal- 
lacy  of  Ableton  Hazard's  famous  system,  and  m  a  fit  ot 
anger,  produced  by  the  conviction  that  there  was  nothing 
whatever  to  be  gained  at  play,  took  a  solemn  oath  never  to 
risk  another  franc  at  rouge  et  noir.    This,  however,  was 
no  sooner,  made  than  repented  of;  for  now  that  he  had  et- 
fectually  deprived  himself  of  the  power  of  dissipating  his 
ennui  at  the  gaming  table,  he  was  utterly  at  a  loss  for  occu- 
pation.   And,  indeed,  it  must  be  confessed  that  the  act  ol 
binding  himself  by  an  oath  was,  at  the  best,  absurd,  ana 
had  he  seen  the  thing  in  its  proper  light  he  never  would 


SCENES  IN  PARIi. 


Ill 


have  done  so,  for  to  seal  a  resolution  in  this  manner  is  highly 
unbecoming  the  dignity  of  a  man  of  rank  and  charaLr. 
A  gentleman  should  shew  more  philosophy  and  confidence 
in  his  own  firmne^ss  than  to  have  recourse  to  such  a  measure 

h/vf  r^  "J"^  *V'  '■^'°^^^'-  ^«'  '"y  P«^t'  I  never  could 
til  7  f'lty  of  any  thing  half  so  weak,  and  highly  dis- 
approved  of  the  baronet's  rashness  at  the  time. 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


..M^T'^"'^  "!'  ^""^  recovered  from  his  wound,  and 
enabled  to  pursue  his  love  affair  with  Mrs.  M'Lofty.     The 

CS"''  "^  *""  ^PP«'''«''i"g  marriage  soon  belme  the 
topic  of  conversauon  among  their  acquaintance,  and  many  m 
envious  eye  was  turned  on  the  colonel  by  the  mer  ThS 

Tf  l7™^  ^"""'"»"  ^J^  f^Pre'ented,  passed  for  a  womaS 
of  a  large  property,  and  a  prize  well  worthy  the  exertions 
of  the  most  determined  fortune-hunter.  Many  of  my  friends 
expressed  great  surprise  at  the  utter  indifference  I  manifested 

I  did  no  take  the  trouble  to  lay  myself  out  for  conquest 

prelende^'J'T'  ^"  "^^/''"'■■'''te  with  KiUheiress;  who 
SDoke  tn       ^  Pos^f  sed  of  great  landed  property    and 

L'tai&rd':  P'^"""*  °^*^  Iady,Vhis^.e. 

One  morning    after  breakfast,  I  remained  in  the  ,aUe  i 

SfThi  r^*''^-  P'P"'''  *"^  "^^  much  amused  with 
feeing  the  colonel  poinUng  out  on  a  map  the  situation  of 

mJS^  T"^-     ^P'^^'  fro™  his  shewing,  spread  over  a 

of Tat'rW  M '"^^ '/T  "^<"  "^  """""y  ^""S  'he  banks 
91  that  nver,    Mrs.  M'Lolty  seemed  to  believe  imolicilv  all 

X.     -       -J-     


112 


'pRAflCATl's  ;   OR 


that  he  .aid  on  the  subject,  much  more  '^f^fl'^f^^ 
He  promised  to  wtde  on  her  neatly  the  whole  of  the  Wore 
mentioned  county,  proceeding,  "hen  he  had  done  .0,  W 
describe  a  beautiful  mansion  romanucally  situated  on  its 

•^Cfact  in  particular  had  gained  o"  'he  7idow;\'',tad 
lity.    Before  the  colonel  went  out  «;^*  S'' Bneo^he  naa 

'XorLn  °f  thelrish property  -■! /'f.'—rtvT  ^d  ,- 
Cavan  left  to  herself.  A  great  deal  of  °*er  property  w^«d'» 
posed  of  in  this  instrument,  ani.,  in  &«»•  «n«'^J'^  ^J^y,!. 
ihire  in  the  British  empire  out  of  which  estates  were  not  wiii 
^away  The  attorney  himself  was  not,  of  course,  forgotten. 
KiuSess  moreover,  promised,  that  in  the  event  of  h  s  sur- 
S  0  maTy^he  w'iSow,  he  would  instantly  pl»«e  '"  »>  ' 

moiirtv  their  united  fortunes  would  amount  to. 

Srna'^^rsradrct'm^rth^^^^^^^ 

w"2tiL.     On  hearing  *is  statement  Aew^wpro^ 

Kti^^'^KiS^t^roVreSrl '^^^^^^^^ 
ITS  foSneTws  Wends,  and  bSasting  to  his  crediwrs 
'Jir^tr: wealth  which  he^w^a^^^^^^^^ 

.  A™°"?*l!T!U='ed°l  llSnumsomeUme 
{.XreTanrilSi'he  one  morning  invited  to  breakfast  at  the 


iCENES   IN  PARK. 


118 


hotel,  m  order  that  he  might  be  fully  satisfied  of  the  ex- 
cellent footing  on  which  matters  stood  between  the  widow 
and  himself.  ^Jhis  introduction,  however,  proved  to  be 
most  unfortunate  to  his  interest,  for  the  gentleman  took  it 
mto  his  head  to  become  deeply  enamoured  of  the  lady  him- 
u  1  J?®  t^^ought  it  lamentable,  pitiable,  that  such  a  woman 
should  be  thrown  away  on  Killheiress,  and  instantly  de- 
termined on  supplanting  his  friend.  So  well  did  he  miiage 
that  he  obtained  a  private  interview  that  very  day,  in  the 
course  of  which  he  drew  so  unfavourable  a  portrait  of  the 
character  of  Killheiress  as  to  effect  a  decided  revolution  in 
the  feelings  of  the  startled  widow. 

"Independently  of  the  feapulse  of  conscience 'and  pro- 
priety,   pursued  the  gentleman,  after  having  covered  the  co- 
lonel  with  all  the  abuse  and  opprobrium  which  could  sug, 
gest  themselves,  "  I  could  not,  as  a  man  of  gallantry,  see  a 
lady  of  your  extreme  beauty  and  accomplishments  thus  ex- 
posed to  the  snares  of  a  swindling  adventurer,  without  ap* 
prising  her  of  her  danger.     I  am  sure,  madam,  that  you 
will  pardon  the  liberty  I  have  taken,  and  though  you  may 
not  avail  yourself  of  my  caution,  you  will,  at  least,  do  me 
the  justice  to  attribute  my  conduct  to  the  most  disinterested 
oi  teehngs,  when  I  tell  you,  the  colonel  is  my  debtor  to  a 
very  considerable  amount,  and  that,  consequently,  in  open* 
mg  your  eyes  to  the  danger  of  a  connection  with  him,  I 
lose  all  hope  and  prospect  of  being  ever  repaid.     My  in- 
terest myour  happiness,  however,  is  more  powerful  than 
any  interest  of  my  own ;  and  it  is  this  feeling  which  induces 
me  to  repeat  that  Killheiress  is  one  of  the  greatest  scoundrels 
in  the  world.     I  say  nothing  of  his  extreme  ingratitude  to 
one,  whose  purse  was  always  at  his  command,  but,  if  I  have 
been  correctly  informed,  he  is  a  married  man,  and  has,  even 
at  tois  moment,  two  wives  living  in  England." 
.   When  somewhat  recovered  from  the  agitation  which  the 
intelligence  of  this  consciencious  gentleman  had  occasioned 
ner,  Mrs.  M*Lofty  expressed  all  the  unbounded  gratitude 
Me  naturally  entertained   for   his  disinterested  behaviour. 
A>iay,  she  even  went  further,  for  ua  hA  wna  a  tall  A. 

k2 


«  ■  ^«  d  h  I  tv  WW 


'■^^ 


114 


FRASCATl's;   OR 


handsome  fellow,  she  saw  no  reason  why  he  should  not  be 
preferred  to  his  friend  the  colonel,  especially  as  he  declared 
he  had  no  wife  to  dispute  her  claims  at  a||y  future  period, 
and  was  otherwise  wholly  free  from  any  other  engagement. 
Just  at  this  juncture,  and  while  the  widow  was  consider- 
ing what  plan  she  should  adopt  for  dismissing  Killheiress, 
that  individual  suddenly  entered  the  room,  when  his  ct-rfe- 
vant  friend  sprang  from  his  seat,  and  giving  vent  to  his  in- 
dignation, exclaimed: — 

"  What,  sir  I  have  you  had  the  impertinence  even  to 
think  of  this  lady  as  your  wife  1  What  possible  preten- 
sions can  you  have  to  a  woman  of  such  rank,  such  merit, 
and  such  fortune  ?  Fow,  8ir,-.fo«,  an  adventurer  of  s  wind- 
ling  notoriety,  an  unprincipled  villain,  who  have  made  even 
me  the  dupe  of  your  artifices,--2/0M  to  pretend  to  so  much 
perfection  I    What  insolence,  indeed." 

Killheiress  was  literally  confounded  by  this  apostrophe, 
nor  did  the  other  give  him  time  to  recover  from  his  surprise, 
but  seizing  him  violenUy  by  the  collar,  thrust  him  out  of  the 
room  before  he  had  time  to  reply.  ^    r  ,i. 

Nothing  could  exceed  the  alarm  and  astonishment  o!  tne 
widow  during  this  short  and  unexpected  scene.    When, 
however,  she  recovered  her  self-possession,  she  attributed 
the  conduct  of  her  newacquaintance  whoUy  to  the  indigna- 
tion  he  felt  at  the  idea  of  her  becoming  the  wife  of  so  inla- 
mous  a  character.    This  was  sufficient  to  induce  a  pre- 
ference  for  one,  who  not  only  knew  how  to  appreciate  her 
worth,  but  was  anxious  for  her  reputation ;  and  from  this 
period  M.  Tredennick  enjoyed  even  a  greater  share  of  fa- 
vour than  had  been  bestowed  on  the  colonel.    Distracted  by 
rage,  jealousy,  and  disappointment,  the  latter  vowed  the 
most  savage  revenge  against  his  perfidious  rival,  and  repeat- 
edly defied  him  to  meet  him.  «  ,     ,    '^i. . 
Tredennick,  thus  called  upon,  was  eompelledat  length  to 
go  out,  and  he  successfully  combated  the  widow's  manifold 
Sbjections  to  his  fighting,  by  declaring  that  were  he  alone 
interested  he  would  not  stoop  so  low  as  to  afiord  the  colonel 
the  satisfaction  of  a  gcnUeman,  but  as  he  had  once  been  ad- 


eCENKI  IN  PARIS. 


115 


milled  lo  her  friendship,  in  order  that  the  public  might  not 
suppose  such  an  honour  had  not  been  enjoyed  by  any  other 
than  a  gentleman,  he  would  waive  every  other  consicleration 
and  accept  the  challenge. 

Though  singularly  gifted  himself,  Killheiress  could  not 
compete  with  his  friend  in  stratagem  or  address.     They 
met  in  the  Bois  de  Boulogne,  when,  just  as  the  parlies  had 
seized  their  pistols,  two  huiaaiers  suddenly  appeared  from 
behind  a  clump  of  trees,  and  secured  the  person  of  the  colo- 
nel.    He  was  arrested  at  the  suit  of  a  restaurateur  in  the 
Palais  Royal,  whom  Tredennick  had  urged  to  this  step  by 
the  promise  of  paying  his  demand  if  not  discharged  by  the 
other.     This  was  a  stroke  of  address  worthy  of  himself, 
since,  to  have  arrested  Killheiress  for  his  own  debt  would 
have  ruined  him  in  the  estimation  of  the  widow  for  ever, 
whereas,  by  getting  another  to  do  so,  he  saved  his  reputa- 
tion without  risk  to  his  person;  and,  moreover,  by  consign- 
mg  his  rival  to  St.  Pelagic,  was  left  to  pursue  his  designs 
against  the  lady  unmolested. 


116 


flU^ATl'f  ;   OR 


CHAPTER  XX. 


If  Tredennick  rejoiced  at  the  incident  whirh  exempted 
him  from  the  mischances  of  a  duel,  the  widow  M'Lofty  was 
no  less  delighted.  The  delicate  anxiety  he  had  manifested 
ibout  her  reputation,  and  his  readiness  to  maintain  it  even 
at  thi  lazard  of  his  life,  were  powerful  claims  on  her  esteem, 
and  she  of  course  felt  herself  bound  to  prove  her  gratitude  in 
ever_;  possible  way.  There  was  something,  moreover,  in 
the  manner  and  appearance  of  her  new  suitor  that  gave  a 
semblance  of  sincerity  to  all  he  did  ;  and  even  I,  one  of  the 
most  penetrating  observers  of  the  human  heart,  was  often  at 
a  loss  whether  to  consider  him  as  a  finished  actor  or  a  true 
character.  If,  therefore,  one  of  my  deep  knowledge  and 
long  experience  in  the  world,  was  compelled  to  hesitate  in 
his  opinion,  how  little  surprising  is  it  that  the  widow  M'Lofty 
should  have  bet  •  the  dupe  of  his  specious  manners  and  pre- 
possessing appearance. 

There  is  nothing  that  gives  a  tourist  so  much  importance 
in  the  eyes  of  the  public,  as  a  familiarity  with  the  great 
names  of  the  country  he  describes.  The  critics  instantly 
pronounce  him  a  man  of  fashionable  intercourse,  and  one 
who  has  the  enM^i  to  the  first  circles  of  society.  The  most 
approved  mode  of  oquiring  this  importance,  is  to  introduce 
an  anecdote  which  .  ".  '^^.iTthor  heard  at  the  Duchess  of  Some- 
body's rout,  or  to  ?  ;1.  j^ow^  complimentary  conversation 
which  took  place  ben  w  -  ii  lanself  sni  some  duke  or  prince 
of  the  blood-royal.    Pre  ably,  witli  a  view  to  impress  the 


reader  w 
at  I  difll« 
celebrate 
the  com[ 
until  the 
jects,  sel 
tion  to  h 
Now 
this  egre 
part  I  CO 
man  of  r 
have  rec( 
self  in  h 
why  an 
acquaint! 
friendly 
many  of 
sent  for  t 
if  they  m 
ing  on  th 
and  man 
smile  an 
for  me. 
"Whi 
"Are 
you  not  J 
people  ii 
your  mo 
of  great  i 
byacoui 
in  Pario, 
hotels, 
for  I  mac 
pursuits, 
life,  toge 
tice  of  a^ 
tion  I  ob 
have  bee 


•CBNES  IN  PARIS. 


117 


reader  with  a  becoming  sense  of  his  consequence,  he  hints 
at  I  dift'erance  of  opinion  which  arose  at  th<  ♦able  ol  novae 
celebrated  minister,  when,  from  the  limited  knowledge  of 
the  company,  no  satisfactory  conclusion  could  be  arr  ved  at, 
until  the  host,  aware  of  his  extensive  knowledge  on  all  sub- 
jects, settled  the  affair  at  once  by  referring  the  point  in  ques- 
tion to  him. 

Now  I,  Rpmbleton  Morris,  do  seriously  maintain  that 
this  egregious  vanit/  is  unpardonable  in  any  tourist;  for  my 
part  I  could  never  <lescend  to  it,  neither,  indeed,  could  any 
man  of  ny  proud  feelings  so  far  debase  his  own  talent,  as  to 
have  recourse  to  such  petty  subterfuge  in  order  to  raise  him- 
self in  his  reader's  esteem.  Still  there  can  be  no  reason 
why  an  author,  who  really  has  an  extensive  circle  of  titled 
acquaintance,  should  not  occasionally  introduce  them  in  a 
friendly  way.  As  I  happened  to  be  intimately  known  to 
many  of  the  first  families  in  France  as  well  as  in  England,  I 
sent  for  the  valet  de place  to  my  apartments,  in  order  to  learn 
if  they  were  then  in  Paris,  The  fellow  saw  my  papers  ly- 
ing on  the  table,  and  hearing  me  inquire  after  dukes,  counts, 
and  marquesses,  remarked,  emphatically,  with  a  significant 
smile  and  toss  of  the  head,  that  he  would  manage  all  that 
for  me. 

"  What  do  you  mean  V*  I  exclaimed. 

"  Are  you  not  writing  your  tour  ?"  he  replied,  "  and  are 
you  not  anxious  to  learn  everything  connected  with  the  great 
people  in  Paris,  in  order  that  you  may  introduce  them  as 
your  most  intimate  acquaintance  ?  Their  names  are  always 
of  great  assistance  to  a  book,  and  last  season  I  was  employed 
by  a  couple  of  Erfjlish  tour- writers  to  find  out  all  the  noblesse 
in  ParL,  -ogether  with  the  street  and  number  of  their  several 
hotels.  No  one  could  have  executed  the  commission  so  well, 
for  I  made  a  faithful  report  of  their  size,  age,  manners,  habits, 
pursuits, — in  short  of  every  thing  relating  to  their  domestic 
life,  together  with  an  account  of  those  who  were  in  the  prac- 
tice of  attending  their  routs  and  soirSes.  All  this  informa- 
tion I  obtained  from  the  servants,  and,  certainly,  it  could  not 
have  been  had  from  a  better  source.    Apropos,  if  you  wish 


118 


FRASCATl's;   OR 


to  describe  the  English  fashionables  here,  you  have  merely 
to  go  to  Poole's,  opposite  the  Italian  Opera,  which  is  the 
grand  resort  of  the  English  servants.  The  gentlemen  to 
whom  I  have  just  alluded  frequently  went  there  for  the  pur- 
pose, and  weie  highly  gratified  with  the  information  they 
received." 

It  was  with  difficulty  I  could  keep  my  temper  at  being 
thus  mistaken  by  the  talkative  scoundrel  for  a  lying  beggarly 
author. 

*•  Silence,  sirrah !"  I  vociferated,  as  soon  as  I  could  find 
words  to  express  my  indignation.  **  Do  you  take  me  for  a 
sneaking  itinerant  caterer  of  lies  and  kitchen  information,  that 
you  dare  address  me  thus  ?  Know,  rascal,  that  I  require 
your  services  no  further  than  to  find  out  the  residences  of 
my  intimate  friends  ; — noblemen,  whom  I  visit  on  terms  of 
equality,  and  with  whom  I  have  been  acquainted  for  years." 
*  The  fellow  immediately  discovered  by  my  tone  and  man- 
ner, that  I  was  not  exactly  the  sort  of  person  he  took  me  to 
be ;  and  he  now  sought,  by  the  most  humble  and  submissive 
apologies,  to  disarm  my  resentment. 

This  circumstance  completely  opened  my  eyes  to  the  sort 
of  intimacy  authors  in  general  enjoy  with  the  noble  perso- 
nages \viJlio  figure  in  their  works  as  their  very  particular 
friends  ;  and  the  result  of  my  reflections  was  a  resolution  not 
to  mention  one  tided  acquaintance  in  the  whole  course  of 
my  tour.  This,  for  a  man  who  mixed  in  scarcely  any 
Ather  society  was  a  task  of  no  little  difficulty  to  accomplish ; 
yet,  rather  than  follow  the  example  of  every  maudlin  tourist 
who  had  preceded  me,  I  was  determined  to  persevere  in  it. 
A  man  of  real  consequence,  however,  never  wishes  to  be 
considered  otherwise,  and  therefore  it  is  not  at  all  surpris- 
ing that  I  should  have  been. seriously  vexed  at  the  imperti- 
nent mistake  of  the  valet  lie  place.  His  powers  of  discrimi- 
nation must  have  been  extremely  obtuse  indeed,  for  on  de- 
scending from  my  rooms  shortly  afterwards,  I  heard  a  ser- 
vant exclaim,  in  allusion  to  the  mistake  the  other  acknow- 
ledged to  have  made, — 

*' J/ow  Dieu  !  how  stupid  you  must  be ;  surely  any  man 


must  be  a 
person  of 
address." 

How  gi 
man  on  o 
passed  on. 

At  the  b 
with  the  e: 
The  latter 
ever  since 
sation,  an( 
satire.  H 
stracted  di 
occasionall 
nected  will 

As  for  r 
This  indiv 
conversed 
agreeable  c 
ceit,  of  wh 
leaving  exp 
embellishec 
first  imagii 
ductions,  m 
rich  vein  o 
from  the  ci 
admiration 
position. 

Anxious, 
him  to  my 
began  with 
he  is  readi 
could  maini 
self,  for  he  ( 
and  whenei 
pressing  his 
jab.'e  of  cor 
into  such  v 


SCENES  IN  PARIS. 


119 


must  be  a  fool  who  would  not  know  that  gentleman  to  be  a 
Sess^^   ^^**"^*'°"  ^''°™  ^'^^  ^^P^'""^  <^arriage  and  elegant 

How  grateful  did  I  feel  for  the  compliment  I  called  the 
man  on  on  one  side,  slipt  a  Napoleon  into  his  hand,  and 
pflsseo  on* 

At  the  breakfast-table  every  body  seemed  gay  and  happy, 
with  the  exception  of  the  baronet  and  the  ironical  gentleman. 
The  latter  had  been  labouring  under  a  depression  of  spirits 
ever  smce  his  arnval  in  Paris,  rarely  joining  in  the  conver- 
sa  ion,  and  still  less  frequently  exercising  his  powers  oi 
TIa  ?V"^  ^''  Brien  now  kept  up  a  desultory  and  ab 
stracted  dialogue,  which  clearly  shewed  that  their  thoughts 
occasionally  wandered  to  some  disagreeable  subject  uncon- 
nected with  their  present  discourse. 

Ti,^^  -""a-V  V^'^  morning  formed  a  new  acquaintance. 
Ihis  mdividual  was  a  poet,  and  a  man  of  fortune.  We 
conversed  together  for  some  time,  and  I  found  him  a  very 
agreeable  companion,  only  too  much  puffed  up  with  self-con- 
ceit,  of  which  he  gave  a  glaring  and  unpardonable  proof,  by 
3  ^,^PP«^d  to  public  observation  a  volume  of  his  poems, 
embelhshed  with  a  flattering  likeness  of  the  author.  I  al 
firs  imagined  that,  he  was  a  great  admirer  of  those  rich  pro- 
ductions, wherein  the  gems  of  wit  occasionally  sparkle  in  a 
nch  vein  of  humour,  and  my  impression  of  his  taste  arose 

arirl^nnTfT   '"'t'^^.^''  *^'"^"^  "^P^^««^^  th«  highest 

Anxious,  therefore,  to  aflbrd  him  gratification,  I  invited 
mm  to  my  apartments  to  hear  a  portion  of  my  tour  which  I 
began  with  all  the  alacrity  an  aut'hor  feels  whLTe  ^uppcses 
he  IS  reading  his  work  to  a  competent  judee.     No  man 

Ta^I  r*  ^"^?  ^"^'^  ^t  the  most  amusing  passages ; 

a^d  whenever  I  paused  to  give  him  an  opportunity  of^ex- 
pressing  his  opinion,  he  several  times,  without  uttering  a  syl- 

£^!ohZT'v  "^^  ™^  ^'^"^^'  ^^""^hed  uncourfeously 
mto  such  Wide  digressions  about  his  own  writings,  that  I 


m 


VRASCATl'l;  Ott 


was  often  ataloss  to  find  an  opening  back  to  my  mannscript. 
Tnow  ^rioosly  began  to  doubt  the  abilities  of  my  new  friend, 
forlhad^at  trouble  in  making  him  understand  the  beauty 
rfcertein  passages,  while  the  delicate  satire  of  othe«  was 
S^together  Fost  on  him.  He  even  had  the  maludresse  to  pro- 
aiTOgbiire  touches  of  character, 

Sh  I  knlw^wouW  be  uSLrly  spoiled  by  the  slightest  al- 
teraUon  hI  moreover,  analyzed  the  plan  of  my  tour,  and 
finally  declared  that  the  style  was  obsolete. 

"That  description  of  writing,"  he  observed,  "will  not 
go  down  with  the  public  now,'  It  might  have  done  very 
wpll  some  fifty  years  ago,  but  its  day  is  gone  by.  We  have 
To"  roducedl  new  species  of  composition,  and  the  lan- 
^r^e  is  vastly  improved  within  the  last  few  years.    I  must 

&  you  the  prefect '»  ">?  Po^""'  ^'>''=''''  """""  "*  *' 

"Tot  p"  My  ™~'''"g  Wm,  I  mentioned  several 
„eatlriL  whose  dicuon  I  fancied  resembled  my  own,  and 
fS  how  he  thought  they  would  have  been  received  had 
thev  existed  at  the  present  period.  „ 

"You  may  depend  upon  it  no  one  would  read  them,  he 
renlied  "The  public  teste  has  of  late  been  regaled  with 
^Tdkicacies  in  literature,  that  the  coarse  food  you  men- 
ffni^wS  only  excite  disgust.  You  see  I  am  quite  candid 
wiSi  you  rd  advTse  youS  a  friend  to  lay  asiue  that  com- 

''^Ifafhorve^'i^thighanopinion  of  my  own  judgment 
tobemichTnfluenced  by  the  poet's  advice ;  and  though 
h»d  n^read  one  fourth  of  what  I  had  written,  as  he  did  not 
S  me  to  ~  the  lecture,  I  thanked  him  for  his  a  ^n- 
?"on!  and  bundled  my  manuscript  into  a  drawer  of  the  .ecrt 
taire. 


# 


•*#»'•' 


Sc; 

sieur 

quesf 

Was  a 

intiniE 

Riueh 

terest 

But 

that  a 

sole  ol 

was  ai 

tp  disc 

bride. 

strandj 

casting 

"Y« 

ful  it  ii 

a  gentl 

to  the 

ignorai 

cessarj 

eyes  ol 

ness  of 

and  as 

and  in 

vol. 


ST 
9      -> 


Hi'^fc' 


^BNIfl  IN  PARIS. 


<^: 


M 


CHAPTER  XXL 

ScAa€ELy.had  thc>tt  (Jlritfed'my  apartment,  wHfen  Mon- 
,  sieur  ip  Comte  le  Bapp  was  aniiouftced.  He  came  to  re- 
quest my  good  offfces  with  the  baronet,  whose  consent  he 
was  anxious  t0  obtain  to  an  union  with  his  sis^r.  As  the 
mtmaate  friend of  the  family,  he  said,  he  thought  I  could-do 
much  for  hira,  an^  he  therefore  hoped  \  Would *use  my  in- 
terest to  forward  his  wishes  omthe  Subject,  ^b;* 

But  although  Le  Rapp  seemed  anxious  to  make  it^appear 
that  a  desire  to  secure  my  inflifence  over  ray  friend  was  the 
sole  object  of  his  visit,  it  was  quite  clear  to  me  that  there 
was  another  and  a  more  powerful  inducement,  and  that  was 
to  discover,  if  po^sitde,  the  precise  fortune  of  his  intended 
bride.  He  wa»  too  wary  a  mariner  to  run  the  risk  of  beine 
stranded  for  want  of  proper  sounding  in  his  course,  or  from 
casting  his  anchor  in  a  doubtful  harbour. 

"You  must  be  well  aware,  sir,"  he  observed,  how  pain- 
ful It  is  to  the  pride,  how  derogatory  to  the  high  feiioM  of 
a  gentleman,  to  unite  himself  with  a  family  who  are^^^^ed 
to  the  connexion.  This  opposition  generally  sprinftrlom 
ignorance  of  the  merit  of  the  individual,  and  renders  it  ne- 
cessary that  some  kind  and  mutual  friend  should  open  th« 
eyes  of  the  prejudiced  party  to  the  futility  and  unreasonable- 
ness  of  their  objections.  Thus,  precisely,  am  I  situated, 
and  as  I  wish  to  satisfy  the  baronet  that  1  am,  both  in  rank 
and  in  fortune,  a  highly  eligible  match  for  his  sister.  I  have 

VOL.  I.—  L 


|22 


1 

rii^CATX*8;  0% 


taken  the  liberty-'to  request  that  you  will  apprise  him  of. the 

fact." 

"  With  the  utmost  pleasure,"  I  replied,  as  soon  as  I  could 
recover  fro»  the  surprise  produced  by  this  unexpected  ad- 
dress. "I  shall  feel  most  happy  in  coramunicatmg  my 
opinion  of  j^u  to  the  baronet,  and  saying  wh^t  a  very 
eh <yible  match  you  are  for  his  sister." 

"Sii'i  you  are  most  kind,"  rgoined  tjie  count.  "  Alt^ 
having  once  heard  jjpur  opinion  of  me,  I  am  persuaded' Sir 
Brien  will  no  longer  oppose  my  happiness.  Not,  at  least, 
if  his  dispositidn  in  any  wV  resembles  that  of  his  charmmg 
sister.  My  atlachjnent  ta  her  is  of  the  most  dismterested 
kind,  irrpjoof,of  which,*!  can^nly  declaim  that  I  am  pre- 
pared at  this  very -moment  to  marry  h«r  ^ylthout  a  shUlmg. 
When  the  baronet  learns  this  he  wilV  surely  not  deny  my 
utter  disinterestedness  m  this  affair,  especially  as  I  am 
aware  that  his  sifet^  is  without  any  property  of  her  own. 

*'  You  must  have  been  misinformed.  \  have  every  reason 
to  believa|fc4.1ac^  ha&  property." 

"  Li^e^  enough,"  he  rejoined,  his  eye  flashing  with 
momentary  delight  in  spite  of  all  his  efforts  to  conceal  it. 
"I  have  heard  hei|; fortune  spoken  of,  by  the  way,  he 
resumed  carelessly;  "but  so  Uttle  attention  did  I  pay  to 
the  subject,  that  the  circumstance  had  entirely  escaped  my 
memory.  You  say,  however,  that  she  has  property,  and 
you  of  course  must  be  coriect.     What  may  it  be  ? 

"I  really  cannot  positively  say.  Something  very  con- 
,tiderable  however."  ^ 

V  "Ha!  something  very  considerable!    Some  few  thous- 

•  anAs  perhaps." 

.  *«  Yes,  sir,  some  thousands." 

"Ho\%  many  thousands?  Ten,  perhaps,  or  more.    Or 
is  it  so  much  ?" 

"  Yes,  fifteen  at  least." 

"  The  devil  she  has  !  What  in  her  own  right,  and  quite 
independent  of  the  baronet?" 

"  She  i6  mistress  of  every  shiUing  of  it.' 

"  Upon  my  word,  that  is  very  handsome.    Fifteen  thou«- 


^y 


SCENES   IN  PARIS. 


ii^      nd 


and  pounds!    Why  that  is  nearly  four  hundred ' thousand 

rancs ;  and  all  that  in  her  own  right,  and  quite  free'from 

t^e  control  of  her  brother!    Sir,  y^  really'su^prise'r 

wen,  well,  am  I  not  truly   a  most  unaccountable  fellow 

LI?''    t^  ^l^  of  mariage  with  so  rich  a  lady,  and  yet 

jmagimng  her  throughout  not  to  be  worth  a  single  Sou  ? 

Indeed    sir,  you  are  very  kind,  and  1  am  very  much  db- 

liged  to  you  for  your   information.     I  wish    you  a  very 

good  mornmg      If  I  can  do  anything  about  town  for  you, 

^fl  >'ou  will  honour  me  with  youf  commands." 

Stop    a  moment,"    I  exclaimed,^s   he  now  hurried 

HhL7  T''"'^'  "  ^"^  y^"  ^^  W^  ""til  I  have  Ob- 
ta  ned  the  baronet's  consent?  You  know  it  must  be  so  pain- 
m  to  the  pride,  and  so  derogatory  to  the  high  feelinffs 
of  a  gentleman  to  unite  himsilf  with  a  famikgwho  afe 
opposed  to  the  connection."  ,     "«•    "°   "^^^ 

nn"J^*'/''^' ^?  ^^^  ""'^^t'"  he  rejeined  h%yj^««but; 
tl      n"^-^"';'^''''^^''"'  ^''  consent  my  be  di&t  to  ob^ 

hT,  «;cr^'  '  '  '^^f  "°*  ^^^'®  ""*i*  *^is  momant,  that 
his  sister  was  entirely  independent  of  him.     However   I 

am  sure  you  will  mentioh  my  disinterfestednesa  to  him.  In- 
good  Sng." '  ""''''''''^  ^•"^'  ^"^  '  wish^u  a  very ' 

tinl^t'V^^  T""^  ^"^F^^  ^"^""^  ^^^  "^o"^'  a«d  I  could  dis- 
hTs  bLn  "^ii^^'J?  ^^  P?''^^  ''^''^S  the  corridor  rubbing 
thon«nn  T  :.A^'^  wi^rapturous  exul|ation,  -  FifteeH 
anTu  ^^"'^'  l^r  o^ight,  and  wholly  independent 
of  ^her  brother  !  ^,n  Bleu,  what  a  fortunate  thing !" 
kniLlT-  VL  ^•^^"^^"^e,"  I  muttered  betwden  my  teeth. 
f1&l''?i^  *^*'  ^^^  assur^cfe  with  a  vengeance.     I  how   ' 
of^fe  (Tpi.?  "V  anxiety  to  "keep  up  the  respectability 
mnni   <^  f^laherty  family  I  had  been  induced  to  disclose  sb 
Zii   ,*^?^^T'  ,^s  this  was  an  evil  which  could  iot  be 
S  •   \    •^'°^?'^  ^"^  ^^'^  "^  ^^"^^  »«  Ummg  the  pledge 
DHse  f/f  K  ^''^"  *^^  '^","^*     ^cc^rdingfy  I  hastened  to  ap- 
prise the  baronet,  not-only  of  my  opinioh  of  that  iSdividual, 
•JUt  of  the  misfortune  thar  threatened  his  house. 
in  the  confussion  of  my  thouffhts  \xA  fe 


-B^7 


^.raaa*  v«%'T,? 


"I 


134 


FRASOATl's  ;   OR 


•■« 


■» 

the  ceremony  of  knocking,  and  entered  the  room  without 
anv  intimation  of  my  arrival.  Emily  was  there  alone. 
Slie  sat  with  her  back  towards  the  door,  and  was  gazmg  m- 
tently  on  a  miniature  that  lay  on  the  writing  table  before  her. 
Cbriosity  indueed  me  to  approach  her  unperceived,  and  one 
glance  was  sufficient  tq  satisfy  my  do»bts.  No  one  could 
have  mistaken  the  original- of  that  portrait,  'a he  flowing 
hair  that  curled  loosely  over  the  high  unpbuded  forehead  ; 
tlie  rich  glow  o«  manly  .Beauty  <  the  benignant  expression 
of  Ihe  well  turned  kp  ;  .the  bright  beaming  of  the  full  dark 
eye*  all  proved  it  te  be  MaAvers.  , ,  ^    , .      ,  .u 

Suddenly  the  ti^id*  girl,  bashed,  trembled,  kissed  the 
miniatuW,  and  hastily *dfip*osked  it  in  her  bosom,  as  if  ap- 
prised by  s<jm*  instinctive  principle  that  an  intruder  was 
near.  In%e  next  instant  she  turned  sound,  and  became  pale 
as  death  Mse^ng  meXthfir  side,  while  I,  too  much  annoy- 
ed anjj  coi3lls/t*  to  say  a  ^rd,  felt,  that  I  in  my  turn  look- 
ed exCeetogly  like  a  fool.  ^  .  u 
"  Emily,"  I  at  length  observed,  taking  her  gently  by  the 
hand,  and  noticing  the  quick  vibration  of  her  pulse ;   "  you 


are  in  love,  and  l\now  perfectly  well  with  whom." 
S^he  hea^'this 


charge,  with  nearly  as  much  horror  as  she 

coui'd''have  manifested  had  I  accused  her  of  a  crime ;  and 
no  wonder,  since  love,  the  -secret,  the  unconfessed  love  m 
which  she  indulged  appeared  to  her  as  such. 

"  Oh  nJ,  no,  no.  I  am  not!"  she^eate^rexdaimed. 
"  Believe  me  T  am  not,"  and*l^  buneiher  ilO^  burmng 
chetk  in  "her  jiands.     •  . 

Deeply  touched  by  hor  embarrass mettt,  I  imftiediately  re- 
solved  to  repair  the  evil  I'had  coiftmitted.  "  Well,  ^W^, 
1 5aid,  taking  up  a  tetter  from  4he  table.  "  I  now  .strt,  Pat 
you  are  not  in  love.-  ^his  1  supposed  to  have  been^ *oni 
iome  admirer  of  yours,  but  it  is  after  all  only  a  note  from 

your  uncle  to  me."    .  ...  * 

My  ruse  had  its  degired  effect."  Believing  thjit  her  secret 
had  noVbeen  discovered,  her  agitation  now  began  to  sub- 
side ;  yet  she  seemed  struggling  between  feelmgs  of  shame 
«nd  a  desire  to  exculpate  herself  from  the  charge  I  had  ad- 


•%f. 


%       >-ijS*    SCENES   KI   PARtt.;^  *" 


'•i    J  25 


Vanced.  >  trnwil/mff  to  give  her  further  pain,  or  to  impow 
deeper  restraint  on-her  by  my  presence,  I  no^^  pleaded  in 
'vr^nTT.  ^"^\^'"^»t'  ^"d  hurried  from  the  apartment.  V; 
t  rom  that  day  she  never  received  the  attenrions  of  Manvera     •     v^ 
in  my  presence  without  a  blush.     Alas  !  dear  ffirl »  that  a^'^*<*   ^' 
sentiment  so  repletd^  with  delight  to  a  youthful ^d  innc^^ 
cent^breast  should  have  been  embittered  by  any  in^scretrO^^^ 


»*■ 


•, .  -. ... 


^W   '/> 


**      *^ 


CHAPTER  XXII.    ' 


if  <r  r»i7 -'^f 'Jf  '°  """^O""'  ^  -net  Mapvers,   who  asked 

This  ^  »  ",n'r      '°  ?'  "  ^'""'  F"S"'''  ^i*""'  'V*  him 
1  his  IS  at  an  times  a  treat  not  to  b'e  refused  in  Paris    and  I 

of  course  repKed  in  the  affirmati™.    After  kunlelini  about 

for  an  hour  in  the  Tuileries,  we  therefore  findly  prweeded 

toM.Cue's    in  the  Rue  de  Rivoll.     MK  M'Cu^y  the 

way,  I  may  take  this  opportunity  to  oteerve  is  ihemosT 

obliging:  fellow  in  the  wo'rld,  and  not  satisfied  ^UhtreaTni 

to  ftvnT'T  '"  ''1  •""'^"^"'  '""»«^''  i^  considerate  enough 
to  favour  them  wiih  as  raueh  of  his  interesting  conversation 
as  they  can  possibly  desire.     Some  would  say -he Ts  one 
nth  whom  u  might  be  inconvenient  to  run  up^a  lo„l  bjl 
since  he  has  the  unlucky  habit  of  introducing,  on  evefy  oc 
c  sion  the  names  of  .nil  those  of  his  couatrymen,  who  h av*  ' 
given  him  cause  to  recollect  them ;  while  the  tone^heroic 

e  pS-lTf  ^^''^  ^'  ^■™'^''"^  "I  ''"-^  Ishall  ne^r 
miin    'r  "^"^f '^"'y  le^es  a  very  deep  impression  on  the 

"er  o!   ori"""?-     Notwithstanding\here  little  violen 
-xenons  of  pen  and  memory,  however,  Mr.  M'Cue  is  fast 

^ZSfZT'  ""^ "°  "rl' '"  "-^ "»"-  "f^*  few  yet 

«e  snail  see  the  carnage  "^^  ♦»"•  i**'*^ —     "   •        -■'  "• 


t2 


m- 


4-  »• 


♦    « 


120 


X'> 


y^^    FRASCAJ|I^S  ;  OR  •  .' 


I 


.     Start  liswof :  those  which  rolttheir  eternal  courqpijfrom  CUm- 

Serland  Gate-to  Hyde  Park  Corner,  and  from-.  H^rde  Park 

-  Corner  to  Cumberland  Gate,  fr<jni  the  1st  of  January  to.the 

31st  of  l5eceniber.  "       •       ,  •   „' 

-^  Ml)  M'Cues  dinners  are  certainly  good,     li^very  one 
gee&  satisfied  with  the  bonne  chme  ^set  out  on  this  occa- 
*     Sipn,  and  all  upanimotisly  proBoifticed  the   wine  to  be  ex- 
\  ^^ifl^lent.     So  much  ^,  indeed,  tfiat  like  true  bom  Britons 
^^Talcy  partook  of  it  jmtil  they^  were  Teady  to  break  each 
" -.other's  heads*  afcout  politics— an  after-dinner  r^reation  in 
'     '     whtehlhave  had  ^some  little  experience  m  the  couise  of 
^'-   /jmriife,  and  with  which  I  am  tolerably  conversant.      All 
'^-^o^  spoke  together,  and  delivered  their  several  opinions  in 
:      a  chorus  of  M^onfusion,  amid  which  the  voice  of  oneiafc 
vidual  was  to  be  heard  high.  a1)0ve  the  rest.     Consider!^ 
the  extreme  length  o£  his  speech,  and  the  ho^  of  OJiggJ^' 
ermg  arguments  we  were  each  burning  to  adduce^»^^| 
he  was  heard  with  exceeding  patiance,  though  f*^«r 
compelled  to  n^e- Ee.«  permit  me,''-' allo^tae,!'   'but  hear 
ane.''  and  similar  phmses  usually  encumbering  a  tavern  po- 
litical haFOjigMB.     Tlje  genUeman  at  length  sat  down,  amid 
genejal  cheeri«^g ;  for  all  he  said  was  too  absurd  to  produce 
liy  otlWHsffect  amdng  his  auditory ;  he  seemed,  indeed,  to 
be  considefe'd  eV^n  below  the  opeiation  of  political  spleen. 
No  sooner  had  he  ceased,  than  ^ome  twenty  voices  were 
raised  in  loud  assertion  of  claims  io  attention ;  but  before  it 
could  be  decided  who  firs't  should  be  heard,  the  last  speaker 
again  stood  ug,  and  insisted  on  treating  us  all  to  Chanapagne. 
fliis  liberal  ofier  of  his  was,  hawever,  very  little  heeded. 
When  the  political  feelings  of  John  Bull  are  once  called  mo 
acUon,  not  even  a  glass  of  Champagne  can  bribe  hirn  into 
sacnce.     They  all  continued  to  talk  on,  as  if  life  and  death 
depended  on  the  issue,  until  they  had  speeched  themselves 
coiipletely  tired,  which,  by  the  by,  as  they  aU  spoke  to- 
gether, did  not  take  up  so  much  time  as  might  have  been 

"Th^sime  individual  now  observed,  that  he  thought  polU 
Oca  might  as  wdl  be  giv^n  up  for  the  evening,  m  wlucli 


case  h< 
more  i 
easy  tl 
discuss 
cited,  a 
to  con 
orator, 
versatic 
it  was  I 
that  of 

"Ge 
warm  a 

Afe> 
shoulde 
for  wha 

tention 

written 

most  ex 

which  I 

of  by  s< 

as  a  stuj 

say,  the 

yet  suffc 

This( 

vour  us 

satire  on 

if  read  I 

would  ui 

delay  to 

things  w 

cause  the 

to  the  th] 

poon  anc 

forsooth, 

80  far  em 

decency, 

mentis  a 


SCENES   IN   FARM. 


127 


case  he  would  furnish  the  company  with  a  topic  infinitelv 
more  interesting.  To  induce  people  to  give  up  poli  tics  is  no 
easy  thing  at  any  time,  and  particularly  difficult  it  is  if  the 
discussion  has  been  warm  ;  for  then  the  vanity  of  all  is  ex- 
cited, and  each  is  anxious  to  make  one  final  remark,  in  order 
to  convince  his  antagonist  of  his  error.  The  successful 
orator,  however,  succeeded  in  changing  the  subject  of  con- 
yersation,  by  making  himself  so  exgeedingly  ridiculous,  that 
It  vyas  quite  impossible  to  find  any  other  occupation  than 
that  of  laughing  at  him. 

"  Gentlemen,"  he  began,  "I  am  sure  you  must  be  aU 
warm  admirers  of  original  poetry." 

A  few  replied  in  the  affirmative;  some  shrugged  their 
shoulders  ;  one  or  two  coughed  affijctedly  ;  and  all  listened 
for  what  was  to  follow. 

"Well,"  he  pursued,  perceiving  that  he  had  fixed  the  at- 
tention of  his  auditory,  ♦«  I  have  here  a  specimen  of  poetrv 
written  by  a  very  particular  friend  of  mine,  a  young  man  of 
most  exalted  genius,  and  allow  me  to  premise  that  the  lines 
which  r  am  now  about  to  read  to  you,  have  been  approved 
ot  by  some  of  our  first  judges  of  the  sublime  art  of  poetrv 
as  a  stupendous  effort  of  human  intellect ;  yet,  strange  to 
say,  the  modesty  of  the  author  is  such,  that  he  has  never 
yet  suffered  them  to  appear  in  print." 

This  exordium  finished,  the  gentleman  proceeded  to  fa- 
vour us  with  the  poetry  in  question.     It  was  a  wicked  stupid 
satire  on  the  reigning  family  of  France ;  a  production  which. 
It  read  by  a  Frenchman  in  such  a  place  of  public  resort, 
would  unquestionably  have  procured  him  a  transfer  without 
delay  to  the  Conciergerie.    Englishmen,  however,  do  thesa 
thmgs  with  impunity  in  France,  and  seem  to  think  that,  be- 
cause they  have  been  instrumental  in  restoring  the  Bourbons 
to  the  throne  of  their  forefathers,  they  have  a  right  to  lam- 
poon and  insult  them  as  much  as  they  please.    And  yet 
forsooth,  if  one  individual,  more  audocious  than  his  fellows' 
80  far  entangle  himself  in  his  treason,  and  outrage  commoii 
decency,  as  to  fall  under  the  lash  of  the  law,  Uie  irovem- 
aent  is  at  once  accused  of  tyranny  and  injustice,  suid  tho 


128 


FRASCATl's;   OR 


whole  race  of  Bourbons  vilified  as  bigots  and  held  up  a* 
monsters  of  ingratitude. 

Perfectly  on  good  terms  with  himself,  the  orator  now 
went  on,  uttering  treason  after  treason  against  the  king,  and 
with  as  much  deliberation  and  consciousness  of  security,  as 
if  he  stood  in  the  heart  of  London.  I  thought  he  never 
would  have  finished,  for  at  every  casual  interruption  he 
unconsciously  recommenced  his  poem  from  the  v(  ry  first 
page.  Indeed,  he  seemed  to  bestow  so  much  pains,  and 
lay  so  much  emphasis  on  the  recital,  that  I  half  suspect- 
ed it  to  be  his  own.  ,  .  ,     r  •.  -.»  i        i 

"Well,  gentlemen,  what  do  you  think  of  it?  he  ask- 
ed, as  he  finally  closed  the  manuscript.  "  Is  not  this  a 
beautiful  specimen  of  original  poetry?"  ,,,.,,, 

All  expressed  themselves  highly  gratified  and  delighted; 
and  each  pointed  out  some  striking  beauty  in  the  poem. 

"  M'Cue'  a  dozen  of  champagne  immediately.  Uentle- 
men  you  must  drink  my  health.  I  am  flattered,  overjoy- 
ed, overpowered  by  your  approval.     Know  that  I  myseU 

am  the  author." 

The  poet,  however,  as  is  usually  the  case  with  all  poets, 
was  not  without  his  rival.  A  formidable  one  now  start- 
ed  up  in  the  person  of  an  elderly  character,  who,  jealous 
of  the  eulogy  which  had  been  passed  on  the  production 
just  read,  boldly  declared  that  he  entertained  the  most  con- 
temptible  opinion  of  its  merit. 

"Gentlemen,"  he  exclaimed,  throwing  himself  into  a 
theatrical  position,  "  it  is  only  a  few  days  since  I  com- 
posed a  poem  on  the  very  same  subject,  which  was  ac- 
knowledged by  all  who  heard  it,  to  be  the  finest  thing  of 
the  kind  in  our  language.  'Tis  only  a  trifle  of  four  or  five 
hundred  lines,  and  I  think  I  can  repeat  it  from  first  to  last. 
The  verses  you  have  just  heard  are  in  the  octo-syllabic 
measure,  whereas  mine  have  the  advantage  of  being  in  the 
heroic.    If  you  will  permit  me,  I  will  recite  them. 

Furious  with  anger  and  disappointment,  the  first  poet 
contradicted,  in  the  rudest  manner,  the  assertion  that  had 
ju9t  been  made,  in  regard  to  the  metre  of  his  verse.    An 


SCENES    IN   PARIS. 


129 


equally  angry  retort  followed ;  until  at  length  the  discus- 
sion  became  so  warm,  that  M'Cue  was  appealed  to,  to 
restore  order.  It  was  in  vain,  however,  that  he  endea- 
voured to  pacify  them,  entreating  them  not  to  compromise 
the  respectability  of  his  house.  The  blood  of  the  poets 
was  at_  the  boiling  point,  and  both  parties  were  ripe  for 
hostilities,  when  an  unlucky  declaration,  made  by  the  old 
gentleman,  that  the  other  knew  nothing  of  the  laws  of 
versification  whatever,  was  the  signal  for  the  discharge  of 
a  claret  bottle  at  his  head.  Other  raissilej,  of  an  equally 
fragile .^lature,  followed  from  the  opposite  side;  and  the 
uproar  snd  confusion  now  became  such,  that  M'Cue  was 
compelled  to  call  in  a  patrole  of  the  national  guard  who 
happened  to  be  passing  at  the  moment.  By  these  the  com- 
batants were  speedily  secured,  and  conveyed  to  the  corps 
de  garde f  the  one  with  no  other  injury  than  the  fracture 
of  the  third  finger  of  the  left  hand,  the  other  with  a  deep 
cut  over  the  right  eye.  In  the  midst  of  the  meI6e,  and 
while  the  guard  were  approaching,  Man  vers  and  I  con- 
trived to  get  safe  out  of  the  coflee-room,  aud  into  th« 
»treet. 


130 


FRASCATI^S  ;   OK 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 


All  Paris  were  at  tliis  period  going  to  witness  the  per- 
formance of  a  piece  called  ^' Trent e  nn,  ou  la  Vie  dun 
Joueur,"  just  brought  out  at  the  Porte  St.  Martin.     J  he 
author  had  evidently  in  view  the  very  praiseworthy  inten- 
tion of  eradicating  the  spirit  of  gaming,  root  and  branch, 
from  the  breasts  of  his  fellow  Parisians,  but  it  must  be  un- 
necessary to  add,  that  he  entirely  failed  in  producing  the  el- 
fect  desired  ;  nay,  so  little  was  the  influence  on  the  public 
mind  apprehended  by  the  several  proprietors  of  the  gaming 
houses,  that  they  ridiculed  the  idea  beyond  measure,  when- 
ever allusion  was  made  to  the  subject;  and  on  one  occasion, 
at  Frasca^i's,  when  1  very  innocently  demanded  of  a  cheJW 
he  did  no  fear  an  immediate  roup^e  et  noir  bankruptcy,  the 
man  clapped  his  hands  on  his  knees  and  burst  into  an  im- 
moderate fit  of  laughter  in  my  face.  a    * 
Curiosity  induced  me,   in  common  with  the  crowd,  to 
witness  this  celebrated  performance,  and  I  and  Manvers  ac- 
cordingly went  to  see  it.     Never  were  the  fatal  effects  of 
play  more  painfully  illustrated,  than  in  the  whole  conduct 
of  this  piece,  which  was  well  calculated  to  produce  a  deep 
impression,  not  only  on  those  embued  with  the  passion  ol 
'gaming  themselves,  but  on  the  wretched  sharers  of  their  de- 
stiny ;  on  those  who,  at  the  still  dull  hour  of  midnight,  were 
but  too  often  left  to  the  solitude  of  their  chambers,  and  the 
Misery  arising  from  their  position.     Yet,  notwithstanding 
all  the  horrors  of  the  piece,  I  sUll  perceived  it  to  be  deficient 


\s 


•OEMS   IN   PARIS.  131 

..  IPt , h'!!?''"  '"'•'' »''»<lr  wl'o  »at  near  me  to  her  husband 

sion  forn  r     ^  r"","« '"  y""-     ■^o"  ^^0  '»  what  yo  frpas- 
s.on  for  play  „U1  reduce  you.  u„le«,  you  reform  y^ur  7ay. 

FJorval  uttered  a  siffnificant  "  hnh  f  n«««  •   i  , 

ot  the  seducer  M'ho  steals  to  her  pillow  anH  h7m      i^ 
exhibited,  and  excfj  a  deep  ,»aKr.hrT'^'"y 

where  hurwrpr  nn/l  n«]^  "'^rrenness  ot  the  mountains, 

"*  w  splendid  relief,  for,  heedless  of  her  own  safety,  all 


132 


niAscATi's ;  6tt 


selfish  fears  are  hushed  in  order  that  she  ijftr»«l^  <^- 
rage  to  her  child ;  and  as  the  lightning  terrifies,  and  the  ram 
pours  its  deluge  over  its  guiltless  head,  her  arms,  the  ody 
covering  a  father's  infatuation  has  left  it,  are  wildly  thrown 

'^'Svel^was^more*  touched  by  ^^presentation  of  this 
piece  than  I  could  have  supposed  possible.  When  the  cur- 
tain dropped  I  asked  him  if  he  would  accompany  me  to 
Frascati's,  and  was  happy  to  hear  him  impressively  answer, 
»'  No,— certainly  not."  Not  so  with  my  neighbour  Flor- 
val,  who  no  sooner  heard  me  mention  Frascati  s,  than,  with 
the  freedom  of  manner  peculiar  to  his  countrymen,  he  in- 
quired  if  I  intended  going.  1  replied  in  the  affirmative,  say^ 
inff  that  1  had  promised  to  meet  a  friend  there. 

« I  wish  I  could  accompany  you,"  he  observed,  "  but 
really,"  glancing,  as  he  spoke,^at  his  companion,  "Iknow 
not  how  to  get  rid  of  my  wife."  j      u  ♦  ^ir^^ 

"  What  think  you  of  the  representation,  and  what  effect 

has  it  had  on  you  ?"  I  inquired.  ,  ^   .        i. 

«  Why,"  returned  the  careless  Frenchman,  "I  feel  much 
the  same  as  I  did  on  entering  the  theatre,  not  thati  can  deny 
any  man  to  be  highly  culpable  who  should  go  the  same 
Sths  with  the  hiro'of  this  piece  especially  when  uni  ed 
to  so  amiable  a  woman.     In  the  whole  course  of  his  caree 
of  infatuation  and  folly  she  never  once  reproached  him,  either 
with  late  hours,  or  heavy,  repeated,  and  overpowering  losses^ 
How  unlike  my  wife  who  never  allows  me  a  niomem 
peace,  whether  I  chance  to  be  early  or  late,--whether 
make  my  appearance   with  a  purse  fil  ed  with   gold  or 
SeHf  iU  last  franc !     Lose  or  win,  'tis  all  the  same  to 
her!  and  scold  she  must,  if  it  is  only  to  exercise  a  privilege. 
To  a  man  circumstanced  like  myself,  therefore,  this  pi   e 
can  have  no  reference  whatever,  for  whidi  reason  it  should 
not  of  necessity  influence  his  conduct.    Bf  ^f '  ^.^^^J^^^ 
after  all,  but  fiction  ?     Gaming  is  a  fine  sul^iect  both  for  the 
stage  and  for  the  pulpit,  yet  the  priest  and  the  actor  are  but 
men  like  ourselves,  and  we  have  as  good  a  right  to  follow 

™    ___  :.,  j-^««*c  ,« thpirfl-     Still.  1  must  say.  that  if  I  h^^ 
our  Owu  luwgiii^j""-^  '-"•■•  ~" '  "^  ■ 


a  wife  11 

•^u  revo 

saying,  1 

left  the  tl 

Manv< 

Rue  de  ] 

de  place 

deal  frorr 

usually  t( 

so  called 

individua 

Mr.  Pool 

casions,  a 

been  enab 

mind,  t!ja 

sufficient 

pened  to  h 

pay  Mr.  I 

vers  into  n 

As  I  tl 

great  authi 

had  not  se 

cognize  m( 

self  known 

ing  me  in  ; 

"I  kno^ 

London  wi 

the  money 

I  entreat 

as  he  said  ] 

who  owed  1 

to  introduce 

of  music  w€ 

which  we  i 

tourists  wer 

works.     I J 

up  to  my  cl 

was  appie'ie 

VOL.  I.— .3 


SCENES   IN   PARIS. 


133 


a  wife  like  the  ioueur%  I  should  never  play  a  single  couv 
^u  revotr  ;l  bU\  see  you  at  Frascati's  if  pos2  "     So 

iTthfttfr  '"  ""'''  --:''-^'  ^^«  ^'^^^^^  aL^ 
R.5^rp'  ^"f!  ^  "^T  "^*  *^"g  i»  following,  but  not  to  the 

deal  fVnm        !k     ^^  '"^  ^^''"^  P«°^«'«'  I  had  h^ard  a  Jeat 

so  calfed  from  r    T  '^'^  '""''''  "^  gentleman's  apartmenH 
ind  vlll'rsut^^^^^^  ''  ^^^^^^  ^^  ^--  of  each 

Mr  PooIp    Jn^?"'  ®  ^^  ^^"  ^^^"  admittance  to  it. 

pay  Mr  Poole  Ivhi.  .       ^^  evenmg  I  resolved  to 

"I  know  not  how  to  look  you  in  the  face  afr^r  !«.  • 

tt  ^"^"'  ^^"^"^«»  ^«"'  ''"t  the  truth  .f/^^^^^^^^^^ 
the  money  to  pay  you  at  the  time."  '       ^  "^' 

»asapp,e',eus.veof  beingrecoenizedbvsol"?,*^''  '"'  ^ 


10   CpwoxnL 


1S4 


FKASCATl's;  OB 


of  my  more  noWe  acquaintanceg.    At  the  door  we  were  met 
SyZ.P^le  himself,  who  perfecUy  satisfied  of  my  respecu^ 

nMs  without  any  very  strict  exammation  of  my  credennais. 
•^  A  Cnever  evi/ces  more  sound  phUosophy  and  good 
.ense   *an  when  he  conforms  to  the  customs  of  those 
™  whom  he  may  chance  to  be  thrown,  -either  can  he 
3  «eaTr  tact  than  by  refraining  from  a  pa"de  <>f  wea^A 
S  tellnt  where  those  advantages  are  but  sparingly  distn- 
tld     I  was  this  sense  of  propriety  that  now  induced  me 
tdlLnse  with  my  bottle  of  Madeira,  and  m  common  with 
Ao^Cund   to  indulge  in  a  five  ,om  glass  of  brandy- 
i>    for  which  Mr.  Poole's  house  is  very  celebrated. 
5?hfc;.mpany   at  at  a  long  table,  and  with  the  excepUon  of 
.„„  „?Zee  individuals  who,  like  myself,  appeared  to  have 
I       L»^  there  bv  curiosity,  consisted  chiefly  of  philoso- 
't'°/r„roolUrcians!  who  were  in  the  habit  of  devonng 
?hrevrninls  ^'Xe^mendment  of  religion  and  the  improve- 
!„.  „f  sStIs  and  of  tourists  and  writers  for  the  press,  who 
S  open  not;-b<K.ks  and  ready  pencils  were  prepared  to 
JSK  paper  every  word  that  fell  from  the  lips  of  those 

"of looking  around  me,  I  was  not  a  little  surprised  to  see 
.n.nf1he  combatant  poets,  described  in  the  precedmg  chap- 
f  ^,mlfn»T  the  upper  end  of  the  room  with  a  paper  m  his 
f  •  f  TWs  wiL  tffindividual  who  had  delivered  thepoet,- 
c™ lirJ^insTthe  Bourbons,-a  poem  which  Vnow  un- 
cai  saiire   g  jg^ed  him  a  successful  candidate  for  the 

?™TaSliprf  the  room.  Attached  to  this  dignity,  was  the 
BriX^  of  treating  the  several  electors  to  punch,  and  v,^ 
Snt  eivmg  offencels  often  as  the  party  elected  pleaff  •  Tte 
?«  JLt  was  at  this  moment  in  the  angry  atntude  of  one  dis^ 
T^  in  *e  lecture  of  his  compositions,  and  was  evidenfly 
*"  tf^OTed  bv  a  boisterous  altercation  then  going  on  be- 
r,tro&nt  captains,  who  now  expressed  their  deter- 
'"Sion  to  dSe  their  dispute  in  the  morning.    As  a  sum- 

""    T„d^  oSine  their  qu»"el.  *«  P™''''^"*  P^P"'"^ 
^■"Lr.^*;.?:  "2ction  of  pistols.    To  this  both  p«t.« 


SCENES  IN  PARIS. 


t 

135 


re  met 
ipecta* 
me  to 
intials. 
I  good 

those 
can  he 
wealth 

distri- 
ced  me 
on  with 
brandy- 
^brated. 
ption  of 
to  have 
philoso- 
ievoting 
naprove- 
jss,  who 
pared  to 
of  those 

>d  to  see 
ng  chap- 
per  in  his 
thepoeti- 
now  un- 
e  for  the 
,  was  the 
and  with 
sed.  The 
»f  one  dis- 
evidently 
ing  on  be- 
heir  dete^ 
As  a  sum- 
t  proposed 
oth  parties 


objected,  urging  the  unfitness  of  the  hour  and  place,  and  ex- 
pressing  their  disinclination  to  run  the  risk  of  being  dragged 
before  the  French  tribunals.  In  England,  nothing  could 
have  given  them  greater  pleasure  than  to  have  the  affair  de- 
cided at  once ;  but  here  the  thing  was  quite  out  of  the  ques- 
tion, until  every  necessary  precaution  should  be  taken  to 
guard  against  interruption.*  As  there  was  no  amusement  of 
this  sort  to  be  expected,  at  least  for  the  evening,  the  whole 
party,  now  joined  in  commanding  silence,  while  many  of 
them  eyed  their  empty  glasses  in  eager  anticipation  of  the 
result  of  the  laureat's  instalment. 

"  This,  sir,"  said  one  of  the  silenced  captains  who  sat 
next  me,  "  is  no  place  for  a  gentleman.  'Tis  a  low  pitiful 
house,  and  I  shall  take  care  not  to  be  seen  in  it  again." 

This  unlucky  speech  was  overheard  by  Mr.  Poole,  who 
happened  at  the  moment  to  be  standing  behind  him,  when, 
enraged  at  finding  his  establishment  thus  underrated,  ho  now 
attacked  the  captain  vi(»lently  for  his  presumption.  Some 
friends  of  the  latter  stood  up  in  his  defence,  others  rose  on 
the  side  of  Poole,  and  in  a  few  minutes  the  row  became  ge- 
neral ;  while  I,  too  happy  too  get  away  from  this  Pandemo- 
nium, took  up  my  hat  and  fled  with  the  utmost  precipitation. 

Before  going  to  bed  I  read  the  following  singular  lines, 
which  I  had  picked  up  at  a  tobacconist's  during  the  day. 

Perhaps  some  of  my  readers  may  comprehend  them ; for 

my  part  I  confess  I  do  not. 

"Kangaroo's  History  of  Persia,  wherein  the  Characters 
of  the  Royal  Family  are  minutely  portrayed,  and  politically, 
religiously,  and  physically  considered." 

'♦  *  The  Royal  family  of  Persia  is  the  most  devout  in  the 

world.     The  Royal  family  is  good •'  ♦  for  what,  sir  ?' 

cried  a  Persian,  starting  violently  to  his  feet,  »good  for  what, 
sir  ?"  I  knew  not  what  to  think  of  this  person's  conduct,  and 
feeling  annoyed  at  a  stranger  addressing  me  after  such  a 
manner,  asked  what  the  devil  he  meant  by  the  interruption. 
He  appeared  startled  by  the  fierceness  of  my  carriage,  and 
evidently  fearing  to  provoke  me  further,  said,  *  Pardon  me, 
•ir,  1  in^apt  np  ofirence->no  offence  whatever.'    « I  meant 


I 

i 


13ft 


FRASCATl's;   CR 


nothing  also.'     '  Then  there  is  no  difference  of  opinion  be- 
tween us,'  he    resumed.     *  Not  the  slightest,'  I  replied, 
shaking  him  cordially  by  the  hand. 

*»  Here  Kangaroo  goes  on  to  prove,  that  the  Kmg  ot  Per- 
sia is  the  wisest  of  all  princes,  the  most  zealous  supporter  of 
religion,  and  the  first  huntsman  in  the  world ;  that  his  priest- 
hood are  the  most  pious,  the  most  spotless,  and  the  most 
disinterened  among  men,  carefully  avoiding  politics,  and  at- 
tending solely  to  the  guidance  of  their  royal  master  s  con- 
science :  that  his  ministers,  at  once  the  poorest  and  the  most 
upright,  are  raised  to  the  dignity  they  enjoy  simply  through 
their  merit  and  their  talent,  and. that  they  bear  the  burden 
of  office  no  longer  than  ihe  suffrages  of  the  people  pronounce 
them  to  be  faithful  and  efficient  servants  of  their  country. 
«Kc  restraint  is  here  laid  on  the  expression  of  public 
opinion,  but  all  are  desired  by  an  amiable  sovereign  to  give 
utterRUce  to  iheir  sentiments,  as  the  only  means  by  which  a 
prince  can  arrive  at  a  knowledge  of  the  reasonable^  discon- 
tents? of  his  subjects,  in  order  to  redress  them.     Loyalty, 
love  of  the  ministry  and  of  the  priesthood,  are  reigning  cha- 
ractc-istics  among  the  Persians ;  and  as  neither  priests  nor 
'  ministers  are  elevated  without  merit,  content,  peace,  and 
happiness  pervade  that  favoured  land.  ••••••• 

-Kangaroo  may  be  depended  on.  He  knows  what  s 
what ;  and,  in' consequence  of  his  great  abilities  and  exces- 
sive  disinterestedness,  his  favour  with  the  peop  e  and  his 
well-known  indifference  to  wealth,.has  been  deputed  by  his 
«>yal  master  to  teach  the  nation  forbearance,  and  reconcile 
them  to  happiness,  and  hunger," 


flICENES    IN   PARIS. 


137 


CHAPTER  XXIV. 


The  next  morning  at  breakfast  I  found  myself  unexpectedly- 
seated  near  Mr.  Domingo  Rhymer,  the  stupid  poet  to  whom 
I  had  read  part  of  my  tour.  He  seemed  highly  delighted 
with  something  that  had  occurred  to  him,  and  after  fidgctting 
about  for  some  minutes  in  his  seat,  at  length  observed  to  me 
with  the  vacant  grin  of  folly  and  self-conceit : — 

"It  appears  to  me  you  have  an  uncommon  fondness  for 
entertaining  every  body  with  that  tour  of  yours  ;  but  though 
you  have  read  it  to  hundreds,  I  will  venture  to  say  your  tal^t 
never  was  half  so  highly  complimented  as  mine  has  been 
this  morning.  Look  at  these,"  he  pursued,  holding  up  two 
letters ;  "  they  are  from  two  of  the  firstliterary  men  in  Paris, 
and  are  quite  sufficient  to  establish  mj  most  ambitious 
claims  to  the  distinction  of  a  poet.** 

Disgusted  with  the  vanity  and  impertinence  of  the  man, 
my  first  impression  was  to  decline  reading  the  letters ;  but 
an  instant's  reflection  satisfied  me  that  he  would  at  once  at- 
tribute my  conduct  to  jealousy,  and  in  all  probability  make 
my  refusal  the  subject  of  remark.  I  therefore  took  them  from 
him  and  read  as  follows : — 

LETTER  L 


i( 


SIR, 


"  Were  it  indispensable  that  I  should  address  you  by  an 
aji^latioa  suitable  to  your  genius  as  a  poet,IXear  the  taak 


«r  O 


Ids 


FRASCATl's ;  OR 


^'■ 


would  prove  one  of  great  difficulty,  aware  as  I  am  of  the  in- 
adequacy of  our  language  to  supply  an  epithet  corresponding 
with  my  extreme  admiration  of  your  abilities.  I  am  little 
used  to  flatter,  and  confess  my  insufficiency  to  render  justice 
to  such  transcendant  merit ;  however,  1  am  sure  you  will 
give  me  credit  for  every  due  appreciation  of  your  extraordi- 
nary powers.  I  am  aware  also  that  with  all  these  advanta- 
ges your  modesty  is  extreme,  and  this  is  the  reason  why  I 
have  deferred  replying  to  the  inclosed  letter  of  my  friend, 
who  had  the  happiness  of  hearing  you  read  your  poem  last 
night  at  the  Cafe  de  Foi,  until  I  had  submitted  it  to  you,  and 
learned  your  pleasure.  As  the  letter  was  intended  solely  for 
my  perusal,  (the  writer  not  once  dreaming  that  I  should 
adopt  the  present  step,)  you  will  clearly  perceive  what  his 
real  opinion  of  your  abilities  is.  May  I  beg  the  favour  of  an 
immediate  answer  ?  - 

"  Your  most  devoted  admirer, 

"T.  P.  L.  R.  NIMBLETON.'' 
'•  Galignani's,  Rue  Vivienne,  18. 


LETTER  II. 

"  MY  DEAR  NIMBLETON, 

"I  can  think  of  nothing  but  the  extraordinary  talent  of 
the  gentleman  to  whom  I  had  the  pleasure  of  being  intro- 
duced last  evening.  So  completely  have  his  charming  num- 
bers absorbed  every  faculty  of  my  mind,  so  deeply  have 
they  fixed  themselves  in  my  memory,  that  1  cannot  refrain 
from  repeating  them  to  every  onb  I  meet  Bob  Spicer  is  in 
Paris,  and  on  the  point  of  being  married  to  an  heiress  pos- 
sessed of  twenty  thousand  a-year.  This,  however,  by  the 
way  is  no  great  catch  to  him,  who  will  inherit  so  largely  at 
his  father's  death.  Bob,  you  know,  wrote  the  prize  poem 
at  Oxford,  and  is  considered  a  first-rate  poet.  Happening 
to  ^repeat  some  of  those  exquisite  verses  to  him  which  we 
heard  Isust  night,  he  declared  without  hesitation  that  they 
were  the  finest  in  the  language,  and  insisted  on  my  introduc- 


SCENES  IN  PARIS, 


139 


ing  him  to  the  author.  If.  therefore,  you  can  prevail  on 
Mr  Rhyraer  to  meet  us  to-night  at  any  place  he  may  ap- 
pomt,  you  will  not  only  confer  an  obligation  on  Bob,  but 

"  E.  S.  C.  WATSON." 

It  was  with  difficulty  I  could  refrain  fromJaughing  aloud 
as  I  returned  these  two  exquisite  productions  to  the  infatuat- 

Ni^u^T^''  ^*  "^^  '^^  ^'■'*  ^'""^  '  ^^^  heard  my  friend 
Nimbleton  spoken  of  as  one  of  the  first  literary  characters 
m  Fans  and  I  had  no  doubt  that  he  had  due  and  weiffhty 
•"^a^sons  for  the  assumption  of  this  new  title. 

"  Well,''  said  the  poet  with  a  sneer,  perceiving  that  I 
mamtamed  an  obstmate  silence,  which  he  no  doubt  attributed 
to  envy  ot  his  superior  acquirements,  "  have  you  anythinff 
Ike  these  to  produce  ?  If  so,  you  may  find  them  serviiablf 
in  a  preface,  for  the  admiration  of  a  great  man,  thouah  it 
be  directed  but  to  the  cut  of  a  turned  coat,  prevents  any'  an- 
noying  scrutiny  of  the  cloth."  ^ 

*♦  What  mean  you  ?"  I  demanded. 

"  Only  that  yours  is  a  worn-out  style,  turned  without 
even  an  imitation  of  fashion."  wunoui 

Jl  ta^^'f  "S^K  '^'"^  '  f omewhat  pettishly,  taking  the  let- 
ters  out  of  his  hand  and  passing  them  to  Manversr 

anJrb  CpT    ^^^™',^^/^§^hed  heartily,  and  was  about  to 
apprise  Mr.  Rhymer,  of  the  true  character  of  his  admirer 

I  thoulht' ih'^  ^'"^  ^y  ^  ^'-^"^^^^"^  ^^^"««-     The  facTwL 
I  thought    he  poet   too  great  an  idiot  to   be  reclaimed 

by  admonition,  or,  indeed,  to  be  worth  the  trodble.     I 

was  completely  disgusied    with  the  stupid  vanity  of  the 

"G^::ZtT  *''*  '/"'  all  appeute'for  my  bUfast 
Uive  my  best  respects  to  the  major,"  said  I    risinir 
from  the  table  as  I  spoke,  "and  say,  that  as  hi  traveZf 

dvpm^/^  .^^P''^'^"^®  h^'®'  ^»  o«^er  that  he  may 

give  me  his  opinion  m  regard  to  your  head."  ^ 

"I  can  give  it  to  you  myself,"  eagerly  rejoined  the  poet. 


140 


FHASeATl's;   OR 


"  I  have  had  Major  Nimbleton's  opinion  ^ready  in  respect 

to  my  head.'  , ,  ^  •    r    t 

"  By  no  means,  do  not  take  the  trouble  to  repeat  it,  for  1 
am  quite  satisfied  as  to  its  contents.  Perhaps  Sir  Brien 
OTkiherty  would  have  no  objection  to  see  your  friend  and 
admirer  ohce  more  however,  as  when  he  left  tbjs  hotel  h« 
had  not  time  to  caU  at  his  banker's  ;--you  understand  me  T 
and  I  left  the  room.  ^.,         ,  ,    . 

Whether  praised  or  abused  I  always  like  to  know  what 
is  said  of  me  in  my  absence.    I  was  not  long  m  being  made 
acquainted  with  what  Rhymer  thought  proper  to  state  after 
my  departure,  for  on  my  return  to  the  breakfast  room,  after 
having  cooled  myself  by  a  mm  in  the  garden,  1  was  receiv- 
ed will  a  general  and  united  laugli.     It  was  some  minutes 
before  I  couM  obtain  a  clue  to  this  singular  conduct,  and  my 
astonishment  was  not  a  litUe  heightened  by  imding  that  my 
old  friend,  the  baronet,  was  the  first  to  join  in  the  ndicule 
excited  at  my  expense.     At  length,  I  was  informed  that  the 
poet  had  taxed  me  with  writing  a  most^tupid  tour,  wherein 
iVcandalized  all  my  acquaintance  and  praised  "o^nebut 
myself.     He  mentioned  no  names,  however,  so  that  1  had 
the  satisfaction  to  know  that  I  had  read  no  part  of  it  to  him 
that  bore  any  allusion  to  Nimbleton,  which  could  prevent 
his  paying  the  certain  penalty  of  his  acquamtance. 

1  bore  this  violent  attack  with  a  firmness  and  temper 
worthy  of  one  who  has  resolved  to  sacrifice  private  feeling 
to  public  good,  for  I  well  know,  that  the  world  affects  to 
despise  every  man  who  aims  at  any  thing  like  distincUon 
above  his  feUows,  and  that  as  all  men  are,  more  or  less, 
anxious  at  the  present  day  for  literary  fame,  every  writer 
who  launches  his  bark  on  that  dangerous  sea,  must  endure 
'   the  sneers  of  malignity  until  his  merit  is  finally  and  publicly 

^EmUy  ^8  the  only  one  who  had  die  courage  to  defend 
me.  Never,  until  now,  had  I  seen  her  soft  blue  eye  beam 
with  indignation,-never,  until  now,  l»^^I^'?«J«*S'Jt 
nerous  spirit  to  surmount  the  excessive  and  shrinking  Umi* 
|ty  in.  which  it  was  usually  veiled. 


({ 


80EN£g   IN    PARIS. 


141 


*♦  Impossible !"  she  exclaimed  with  energy, — "  Mr.  Mor- 
ris cannot  have  belied  his  friends ;  and  as  for  his  tour  being 
a  stupid  one,  I  am  sure  he  has  too  much  good  sense  to  write 
any  thing  stupid.     I  will  never  believe  it." 

The  effort  was  momentary.  In  the  next  instant  she 
blushed  the  deepest  crimson,  trembled  violently,  and  hung 
down  her  head ;  but  awed  by  the  very  silence  her  language 
had  imposed,  she  again  became  pale  as  death,  and  rising 
from  her  seat  rushed  into  the  garden,  followed  by  Manvers, 
the  ironical  gentleman,  and  myself.  Poor  girl,  she  appeared 
as  if  ashamed  of  what  she  had  said,  and  now,  that  the  strong 
excitement  of  her  feelings  was  passed,  felt  shocked  at  her 
own  boldness  and  presumption;  nor  was  it  until  after  we 
had  repeatedly  assured  her,  that  we  considered  her  to  have 
acted  solely  from  the  impulse  of  kind  and  generous  feeling, 
and  not  from  forwardness,  that  she  became  at  all  tranquilliz- 
ed. This  little  circumstance  was,  however,  of  moment  to 
the  development  of  her^  character,  while  it  raised  her  in  her 
own  esteem,  for  she  now  discovered  that  she  had  resources 
within  herself  which  it  only  required  courage  to  call  into 
action.  This  was  her  first  step  towards  confidence  in  her- 
self, and  henceforward  she  gradually  emerged  from  her  in- 
nate self-distrust. 


! 


142 


FIUSCATl's;  OR 


CHAPTER  XXV., 


A  HORRIBLE  murder  had  been  committed  m  the  neigh- 
bourhood of  Paris  a  short  time  previous  to  our  arrival,  and 
the  execution  of  the  criminal,  we  were  one  morning  inform- 
ed by  the  valet  de  place,  was  to  take  place  on  that  day. 

Francois  Ulback  was  deeply  enamoured  of  Aimee  Millot, 
■a  young  sheplierdess  of  Ivry,  remarkable  for  her  beauty. 
Certain  circumstances  occurred  in  the,  course  of  their  inti- 
macy which  provoked  the  jealousy  of  the  lover,  who,  goad- 
ed by  the  stings  of  injured  passion,  sought  the  young  girl 
in  the  fields  and  reproached  her  with  infidelity.    It  was  m 
vain  that  she  denied,  in  the  most  solemn  manner,  the  cruel 
accusation  of  the  infatuated  Ulback.     His  belief  in  her  false- 
hood was  too  deeply  rooted  to  be  shaken  by  any  protesta- 
tions to  the  contrary.    Neither  her  tears  nor  her  supplications 
caused  him  to  swerve  one  instant  from  his  purpose;  and 
«ven  while  the  unhappy  Aim6e  knelt  at  his  feet  in  the  atti- 
tude of  entreaty,  and  as  the  warm  asseverations  of  inno- 
cence fell  from  her  blanched  lips,  the  inhuman  ruffian  plung- 
ed a  dagger  into  her  heart.  i.    u  • 

Such  was  the  account  given  us  by  Manvers,  who  being 
in  Paris  at  the  period  of  the  murder,  had  collected  every 
particular  connected  with  it.  Emily  heard  it  now  for  the 
first  time,  and  as  she  listened  to  the  harrowing  recital, 
trembled  and  turned  pale  as  death,  until,  unable  to  com- 
mand her  emotion,  she  burst  into  tears  and  fled  to  her 
apartment. 


fcsmcs  iw  PARIS. 


143 


lie   J?«^^Snn     .1"^*"?*^  ^?   ^"   «^"«^J  *«  ^i^"eS8    a  pub- 

Ih!d  W  S*  t^  °»«»«»«holy  interest  produced  by  the  tele 
I  had  just  heard  overcame  my  scruples,  and  I  propowd 

f  K^V  1  y/  .  ^/*®  guillotme  was  already  erected  on 
a  high  platform  in  the  centre  of  the  Place  de  Grfive  tha^ 

it'  W  t^wt^r?'  blood  during  the  Fre^^ch  ReVl'! 
w^ni  *  u  ^  ^^  ^^^^'"^*  °^  ^^^'■o''  and  disgust  did  I  con- 
template the  arena  around  us  ;  imagination,  assisted  bvUie 

teeVon^ r ,  ''  .^«,f  ^^-  -'  -called  alT  tt 
Duicnery  ot  that  fatal  period  !  Not  a  stone  was  there  whioh 
had  not  been  washed  by  the  blood  of  some  Jict  m  not  an 
iron  hung  suspended  from  the  surroundin/lamp  „'osw  that 
had  not  been  used  in  the  destruetion  of^h  man  We 

As  IS  usual  m  all  ca«es  of  the  kind  in  Paris,  avaitcrowd 
^d  assembled  to  witness  the  execution  of  the  criS 
rnhnn'"'!"''!''*'*  been  strongly  excited  in  favou   of  the 
unhappy  Aini6e,  and  public  cSriosity  was,  of  course    not 

xrwtroft°''''r™f  y/"' ^--'ff  ^-""  ^^^^^^^^ 

confusedlv  L  J  T'*"  '"'^"^  ^"  ^^"^'V-  ^U  rushed 
conlusedly  and  eager  y  towards  the  immediate  theatre  of 
death,  M  order  to  obtain  a  more  distinct  view  of  the  murier- 

out  d^ffi  T  r"!"'*"'''  '='•*'"«'''  «»''  "  was  nor>^th. 
out  difficulty  that  the  gendarmerie  were  enabled  to  preserve 
unencumbered,  a  space  around  the  fatal  platform,  wEn 
^e  execat.one«.  five  or  six  in  number,  were  now  1^*?^. 
of  raising  and  depressing  the  axe  of  the  guillotine  "ilordp, 

ve«-»^''su':ct^'^?^^^^^^^^^^ 

It  was  a  day  iU  suited  to  such  a  scene.     Not  a  cloud  w». 
to  be  seen  in  the  heavens,  and  from  its  loftly  ficW  of  a.ure 
die  aui„„„al  sun,  free  fmm  sultry  glare,  beamed  for  ha  soft 
It  t!r^'"«f  Tif™";'  which  attuned  th;  soufto  tenderness 

V^»„T/i *?*•'''>"."''*"  ">"  •'«"'*'''«'s  light  andbou- 
yant,  and  fiad,  pleasure  m  existence,  when  the  Lklessne.. 


U4 


^RASCATI^S;    OR 


of  desperation  is  no  more,  and  the  mind  most  acknowledges 
the  furce  of  those  natural  tien  and  aflections  which  bind  us 
to  our  mother  earth.  On  such  a  day  I  would  not  choose  to 
part  with  life.  On  such  a  day  I  would  not  wish  to  see  my 
fellow  men  surround  the  place  of  my  execution,  and  in  in- 
difference, if  not  in  gayety  of  heart,  witness  the  blow  which 
cut  me  off  from  that  beautiful  sky  and  that  genial  sun  for 
ever,  while  they  lived  on,  unconscious  in  the  next  hour  that 
such  a  being  as  myself  had  ever  claimed  affinity  with  them. 

The  town  clock,  with  awful  pauses  between  each  stroke, 
now  slowly  tolled  four,  when  the  chief  huissicr  arrived,  and 
t  )ok  up  a  position  it  a  window  overlooking  the  guillotine, 
whence  he  could  see  that  the  sentence  of  the  law  was  duly 
carried  into  effect.  Soon  afterwards  amid  an  immense  con- 
course of  tluj  lower  orders  of  the  people,  an  open  cart, 
strongly  guarded,  and  containing  the  criminal,  the  priest, 
and  the  executioner,  was  seen  slowly  advancing  along  the 
Quai  Pelletier.  I  could  have  wished  this  vehicle  to  have 
been  covert  d,  for  it  seemed  inhuman  to  expose  one  who 
should  have  been  left  in  his  last  moments  to  communion 
with  his  God,  to  the  idle  gaze  of  the  multitude,  whose  yells 
and  hisses  rent  the  air  on  every  hand,  and  could  not  fail  to 
distract  him  from  meditation  and  prayer. 

At  length  he  approached  the  spot  where  he  was  doomed 
to  expiate  his  crime.  His  head  was  unco\  ered  ;  his  cheel^s 
colourless ;  his  eyes  fixed,  and  his  lips  closely  compressed 
together.  A  heavy  stupor  had  settled  on  his  ')row,  and  he 
scarcely  seemed  to  breathe  ;  in  s^  irt,  his  whole  app  araner 
was  that  of  one  who  has  already  ceased  to  exist.  But  when 
the  cart  suddenly  drew  up  at  the  foot  of  the  scaffold,  a  sense 
of  consciousness  appeared  to  return  ;  the  colour  rushed  for 
a  moment  to  his  cheeks,  and  he  glanced  alternately  from  the 
crowd  to  the  guillotine,  with  a  look  of  desperate  resolution. 
It  was  the  last  effort  of  human  pride  and  human  courage. 
Again  a  death-like  paleness  overspread  his  features  ;  the  sight 
of  that  crowd  and  of  that  hideous  guillotine  had  unmanned 
him.  His  head  sank  on  his  breast,  and  ill  animation  ap- 
peared to  have  deserted  him.     The  executioi  -rs  rather  car* 


«C«NE§  IN  PARIS. 


145 


until  the  chin  of  the  crimi,«l TL,  J^„  f"''  ^"^^  »'*'#' 
loline,  when,  quick  as    i„  f  ,r,i       *!  ^"""^  of  the  gSS 

a»  app.lling  cS^nd    h  tad  of  "Se  ;/T"  "^i*^'  ^ 
vewl  prepared  [or  ila  reception  ""  """"* '"«»  « 

racier,  anj  attach,  with  n.eTanch„?v  .*  !^^\  '"^  '""»'  «1»- 
consonant  with  our  ZrriZSJ"'"''''  <«  "''"'•ver  i« 
thi8feelinffih«il,„l,,.T.?      '""»«<li»le  impressions,     h  -a. 

and  MinTe™,"':"  tod™:  "  ^"'g"^  ^  ?f ""«'.  6",];^ 
I'erforn,  IIa„,Ici.     The  the  It™  w».  T  J^^'"'''^  "^  *» 

"erer  did  ihis  favour!^  »„'  crmyded  to  excess,  and 

satisfaction  ThTl.WhTnh!''''''''  ''""'"'^  ""»«  ">  "7 
insensible  to  hi"merr  TK    \  '  ?«"»,«««>  far  from  Wnr 

applause  oi  hi  per  Larce^^nTth:'  ""f  "^ ',S"'«>4 
earned  it  well.  '"™ance,  and  the  actor  had  certainly 

Whin  spite  of  iyser^s'mo'oT'  •""'"'  *'""""'  "«'  *» 

G«adSrt;:V;:;7ptiL't;^^.tVhr^''  -r  ''^  -k*' 

he  has  in  his  hand  ?"  '^^  '     "  """  "  "obacco-pip* 

_''  No,"  I  replied,  "  a  small  flute." 

Ae  teL'/'r.f,'  /„  ■  -;S»i;'g  to  smolce,"  r,.„™ed 
freshn-en.  after'the  .tlLTu^\X::^l'">  -"o  - 

*.atr  o^m";S:tatt''itnf  f  °*-"'  -  -h 
"ait  for  the  fa^  EmiiJ  of  ^'"^  ''"°""  '^'-^  h"  "ouW 
«>r«im!  and  M^nver,  K^  n"""^^'  "^  "Wged  to  wail 
remained  ?or  her  "  „  Lt  I  TV  ^"^"1"^"'^  a,  natnrj     ' 

«»d  finding  it  loo  earit  i„  1  ■         '      'f ''*.''  »'  "X  ''atch, 

i»  one  of  l,e  rmT„7hl"  S"  '"»"«■  '•««'1™<I  ^  killan  hour 

»„,  .      ..    Saming-honses.     On  approaching  ^■ 


i----^3 


146 


FRASCATl's;   OR 


by  the  dark  back  entranqe,  the  pale  light  of  the  lamp,  on 

^  wW  was  marked  the  number  of  the  house,  revealed  the 

:  oXe  of  a  tall  figure  standing  near  the  door.     He  drew 

back  a  little  when  I  came  up,  and  after  an  evident  struggle 

with  his  feelings,  made  an  effort  to  approach  me. 

"  Sir,"  he  said-it  was  all  his  faltering-  lips  could  utter, 
but  his  vicinity  to  the  gaming-table  told  me  all  he  meant,  as 
olainly  as  language  could  have  made  it  known. 

"  You  have  been  here,"  I  said,  pointing  to  t^  dooj. 
«  Unfortunately  I  have,"  he  replied,  in  a  tot^  of  fearful 

dejection.       -  ,  .        i    * », 

"  And  th«j%nsequence  is,  that  you  have  lost. 
"Lbst  all!"    he    exclaimed,    with   increasing    agony. 
^«  Wretch  that  I  am  1 1  have  left  my  wile  and  children  with- 
out the  necessaries  of  life.     They  have  not  tasted  a  morsel 

of  bread  this  day  !"  *-4v,:,f,r 

I  drew  nearer  to  him.  He  appeared  to  he  aboutthirty, 
and  his  fine  manly  countenance  bore  all  the  wild  character 
of  one  who  is  driven  to  despair.  ' 

While  I  stood  gazing  at  him  he  endeavoured  to  ask  my 
assistance.  A  few  unconnected  words  only  fell  from  his 
lips ;  but  Ihe  convulsive  clasping  of  his  hands  fully  explain- 
ed  his  meaning.  It  was  the  powerful  struggle  of  a  high 
spirit  with  misery  and  pressing  want,  ilis  were  not  the 
tones  of  one  accustomed  to  solicit,  and  the  mtimation  of  hu 
distress  was  instantly  followed  by  a  deep  suffusion  ol  his 
cheek,  and  the  sinking  of  his  head  on  his  breast. 

«  Allow  me  to  assist  you,"  said  I,  deeply  touched  by  his 
distress,  and  putting  a  few  pieces  of  gold  into  his  hand. 
.     "You  are  English,  are  you  not?" 

He  ffrasped  the  money  eagerly,  then,  as  if  ashamea  w 
Uie  action,  held  his  handkerchief  up  to  his  face.  I  am 
English,"  he  at  length  replied,  after  having,  by  an  effort 
succeeded  in  curbing  his  feelings ;  "  nay  more,  I  have  borne 
a  commission  in  the  army.  Never,  until  lately,  have  i 
known  what  it  is  to  suffer  from  hunger,  and  to  be  expo^ea, 
not  simply  to  privation,  but  to  the  contumely  and  insu» 
of  the  world.     Nursed  in  the  lap  of  luxury,   as  I  hav« 


SCENES   IN   PARIS. 


147 


dXt'Tt  iV^^^^  '  t"^^  ^-/  ?«  »^-d  of  distress 
woniJr.^  '^  "0^*     Think  not,  however    that  T  o«. 

flictions  I  have  alLadT  h°"  ''.'  """u^  "l  '^^'"S  to  the  af- 

toeether  wiih  fil  S^   »»mAi9Swn;  the  purchsse-monev. 

in  Pa^ris  The  hst  hun/"^  squandered  at  the  g!™i„g  .able, 
this  hour  you  bX,i,l  ml  T"""'  "^",'  '*"  "-eek,  and  al 
liowever.'^he  ntsuL  ,f7'  '"^^''-  ''^  "'»"'»"<•  ">»•". 
you  have  no«raS».  \P-?"'°'  ""''■  the  assistance 

WafLr!"  '^"'''"'  ""•    May  God  reward  you  for  it 

•tierrrle^uf  m V  1  ?•'  "f  "'""•'^  "•«  "^  *« 
tables'  and  reCd  tLoldtTVf't'"^,  ""*  e"»'°« 
been  sealed  here  mant  min,  ?       f  *'"'  ''"y^'-    '  ""ad  not 

ed.  and  placed TherseLTa. tf  ^H^"  • "''  «;f/"'^"«'"  »«*'■ 
"I  hiv»  iJ,      ..    ™^?'.''"»°JO'ninsttabe. 

one  of  he™  ^"  u  TT'T^  ?  ^^'^  ''"'•owing  scene,"  said 
»pokethe Tentlemtn  'Jhn  "k'k^  T"'  '^''"^e 'appearance  be- 
every  mark  of  Z.-pU  ^^  !"' '''""''  ='"''  """"'enance  bore 
wbile  I  was  IherP  P  ""  '"'"'""'  °'  *^  S'""i''g  house, 
^ith  a  phren  Id  f„„i  "■■  r*""  "?«  ^^  S^^^d  «t  the  table 
the  heaps  of  Jnld  1 V  ''  'f?""* '"  <'«'"»"•  ""h  his  eye, 
iengthX4  m„"  7"-e  lyng  before  the  dealers.  At  • 
pocket  drew  Lfh?      ^  ^f^"',  ''«  P»'  ""'^  hand  into  hi. 

"ediy  onThI  clofh  T  .^"P"'™"!'  ='"'•  ""^'^  "'«'"  hur- 
lost/  But  how  shnil  II  '"'.,'''™'«'  to  have  expected,  he 
'My  wife-  2  Si  p".''"  "■,*  "^""y  •"■  his  feelings? 
thatmX'thrvervn.  /  ''rl'  f™-"  his  breast,  in  tofe. 
naoe  the  very  people  of  the  house  themselves  start]* 


149 


VRASCAT1*S;  OR 


and  look  up.  He  said  no  more.  His  knees  tottered  under 
him.  He  staggered  from  the  table  to  the  wall.  Madness 
soon  lent  him  strength,  and  he  broke  wildly  from  the  room, 
without  any  one  making  an  effort  to  prevent  him.  I  shiid- 
der  for  the  result." 

Early  on  the  following  morning  I  visited  the  Morgue. 
A  body  lay  extended  on  thgJl|tform.  As  I  had  anticipa- 
ted, it  was  that  of  the  uitfPlwate  officer.  A  female  stood 
weeping  at  the  side  of  the  corpse.  It  was  his  unhappy  wife, 
who  had  come  to  claim  his  remains.  He  had  drowned  him- 
Mlf  in  the  Seine. 


CHAPTER  XXVI. 


The  seasons  are  not  more  variable  than  our  dispositions. 
To-day  the  gloom  of  winter  is  seated  upon  our  brow ;  to- 
morrow dawns  on  us  in  all  the  brightness  of  a  summer  sun; 
and  the  spirits  play  as  lightly  and  freely  as  if  they  had  never 
known  what  it  was  to  droop.  I  fully  expected  that  I  should 
have  been  a  sad  moping,  melancholy  being  for  at  least  a 
week ;  and  in  truth,  the  events  of  the  preceding  day  were 
sufficient  to  have  rendered  me  so,  yet  at  breakfast  I  had  re- 
gained all  mv  wonted  elasticity  of  mind,  and  even  conde- 
scended to  amuse  myself  witli  Domingo  Rhymer.  This, 
however,  by  the  by,'was  a  weakness,  ift  which  I  should  not 
..have  indulged,  had  I  not  leen  anxious  to  convince  him  that 
I  was  superior  to  anything  like  petty  resentment  for  his 
wanton  attack  on  my  literary  talent. 

"  Well,  Mr.  Rhymer,"  i  began,  "  how  is  your  triendthe 
major?     I  hope  you  enjoyed  yourself  last  night." 

♦♦  Never  was  so  happy  in  my  life,"  returned  the  "Barba- 
dian poet    "  Bob  Spicer  is,  without  exception,  the  plci-santr 


SCENES  IN  PARIS. 


149 


hlTatura  lf»  ,t.Vl  .™^''''''''?J'''''''"  '^  •*«  Partnership,  a. 

Hp ^;«    vf    !  ^-'^'  ^^'^  '""J"'* »«  ^^«»t  to  return  here  to-dav 

ana  tne  marquis  ,  a.  ,.-en  consulting  him  on  some  weiahtv 
affairs  of  state,  connected  with  his  mission.  He  apS 
very  much  fatigued  last  night,  and  no  wonder  i  for  heaSdW. 

fngl'tav"  n'  '?"  '"°"'«''  togetherf»*s!^t  "' t 
ing  the  day.    Do  not  mention  this,  however.  I  entrent  von 

as  It  was  communicated  to  me  in  ionfidenee.  and?Dr^ma' 

tare  disclosure  might  affect  the  interests  of  our  co«""y 

rhe  major  fears,  however,  that  the  marquis  wiUbreak  down 

even  as  it  is,  notwithstanding  all  the  paL  he  Ken  wS 

The  inclination  I  felt  to  laugh  at  the  absurd  credulity  of 

^nuTs'biir  ^Th''  ""'  '  T'",""'  ''='™  -P-«Sve 
minutes  longer.     This  was  what  I  most  wished  to  avoid 

««ce  any  manifestation  of  mirth  might  have  op^^ed  hi,  eye. 
was  bvCr.  '  ""'^'f""^  of  ">«  'W  diplomatist. 'and  U 

arhrreThat^r.ns^srrrhr  * 
«o?r.tS™;re:i?othirfrnr"^^'  ^""  '"-^  -^  ="'«»- 

him  bv^  ih-TT^"'  r?'  •'"  ^PP™*''''  ">« '«'«"'«'  and  seize 
mm  by  the  hand,  exclaiming  with  vivacity.  "  How  «an  I 

N  2 


166 


IRASCATI^S;   OB^ 


sufficiently  requite  you  for  your  kindness,  how  repay  yo« 
for  having  risked  your  valuable  life  for  me  in  a  duel,  and 
ahewn  such  a  friendly  regard  for  ray  character  in  my  ab- 
sence ?"  Then,  without  waiting  for  a  reply,  he  put  on  one 
of  his  most  hostile  looks,  and,  turning  to  a  waiter,  mquired 
if  Colonel  Killheiress  was  in  the  hotel.  "  I  only  just  this 
iurtant  heard  of  the  affair,"  he  resumed,  when  the  man  had 
replied  in  the  negative,  "and  have  hastened  here  for  the  ex- 
press purpose  of  chastising  the  villain."  ^  • 

Tredenniek,  who  was  present,  now  sought  to  pacify  the 
major,  whose  fury  seemed  to  have  increased,  on  being  told 
that  the  colonel- was  at  that  moment  in  St.  Pelagic,  and  co»f 
■equently  incspablB  of  rendering  him  the  satisfaction  of  a 

gentleman.  ^  ,   •    '  n 

"Although  Lhave  not  the  pleasure  of  benl^  personally 
known  to  Major  Nimbleton,"  pursued  the  former,  (here  Ma- 
jor Nimbleton  bowed  low,)  "  still  I  have  heard  so  much  of 
his  high  connections,  and  his  own  strict  character  for  probity 
mnd  honour,  that  I  confess  I  am  only  surprised  he  should 
suffer  any  insinuations  uttered  by  such  a  fellow  as  Killheiress, 
to  have  the  slightest  effect  on  him." 

The  major  hemmed,  coughed,  bowed,  smiled,  and  ac- 
knowledged the  justness  of  Tredennick's  remark,  and  seat- 
ing tumself,  in  the  next  instant,  at  the  side  of  the  baronet, 
resumed  in  a  low  tone  his  wonted  strain  of  adulation. 

Domingo  Rhymer,  who  was  evidently  fidgetting  himself 
to  death  for  an  opportunity  to  address  the  '  great  diplomatist,* 
now  ventured  to  inquire  if  their  friend  the  marquis  was  off. 

♦»  Ah  1  my  dear  fellow,  is  that  you  ?  How  delighted  I  am 
to  see  you  here  !  Yes,  I  have  at  last  contrived  to  get  rid 
of  him,  having  |iut  him  into  his  carriage  about  an  hour  ago." 

**  And  have  you  any  hopes  of  him  ?"  inquired  the  poet, 
half  playfully,  half  mysteriously,  and  turning  and  wkikingto 
pie  at  the  same  moment. 

M I  cannot  say  that  I  have,"  returned  Nimbleton,  with  the 
utmost  gravity  of  voice  and  manner.  *'  I  only  wish  that  he 
may  have  good  sense  enough  to  follow  the  directions  I  have 
given  hinit  for  if  it  is  only  for  the  credit  of  our  family,  I  am 


■CCMtS  IN  PABM. 


iSI 


naturally  anxious  thai  he  should  acquit  himself  of  the  trust 
reposed  in  h,m  ,„  ,he  entire  satisfaction  of  «o»er„m»f 
Note  word  of  this  however,"  he  proceeded  inaTw™"  ne 
and  laying  his  fore-finger  impressively  on  his  hpT  "  o„^' 
act  of  mdiscretion  raight  compromise  every  thing  "'  Then 
turning  once  more  to  Sir  Brien.-"I  am  so  ma^ny  waysTn 
your  debt,  my  dear  friend,  that  I  really  know  not  howfever 

1"  Th     ='".'"'<""""*  '""'n  f"  "11  your  kindness?   AUow 
me,  at  leas  ,  to  repay  yon  the  amount  of  what  you  were  so 

U  was"  t™t ''"  °*^'  '^y-     "^""'"S  -  "h^  -™  i't 
It  was  a  very  great  convenience  to  me  at  the  Ume  ax  if  vnJ 

recollect,  had  not  an  opportunity  of  goingto  mTCkerv" 
.  I  was  literally  thunderstruck  at  Ihl  languaJof  th/ma^ 
jor,-much  more  so  when  I  saw  him  actuall/hand  ove?^^ 
Sir  Brien^he  money  he  had  borrowed  from  him  I  Inld 
have  believed  any  thing  in  nature  but  this,  ye  ?o  it^l 
had  the  evidence  of  my  own  eyes  to  satisfy  me  of  hi  fee. 
and  I  could  no  longer  doubt.  Indesd,  I  ImdXady  be^n 
to  change  my  opinion  in  regard  t».Nimbleton  a  tofi^thT- 

Zs^:^ '''  ~d  hiL^ht:: -^-^.^^st 

As  for  the  baronet,  he  was  really  dehVhted  as  hp  .=iJ  . 
the  major's  return,  for  his  presence  had  in  s'me  me  '  '  hf 
come  necessary  to  him.  With  all  his  good  TaShe  wA" 
a  weak,  vain  man,  and  easily  won  by  flatterv  »nH  !f.  ."°' 
Nimblelon,  whohad  atactfordisLerin '^7ak"^^^^^^^^^^ 
perceived  this,  and  was  too  much  of  a  "  mln^u  v«?  "'if  Z 
of  a  "  diplomat^.,"  „ot  to  avail  himself  acco^inX  ThT 
moreover,  wai^a  day  when  the  baronet  requSomlS^; 
to  comfort  him ;  and  though  misfortunes  are  ^  W  ^T      7 


152 


FRASCATIS;   9R 


I  ■*. 


icountship  had  done  him  in  condescending  to  become  his 
brother-in-law,  a  notification  which  was,  however,  received 
■with  an  exclamation  of  "  Hell  and  the  devil !"  pronounced 
in  tones  of  a  more  energetic  character  than  he  had  been 
known  to  indulge  in  for  some  time.  In  the  first  paroxysm 
of  his  rage  he  flew  to  my  apartment,  to  acquaint  me  with  the 
evil  that  had  befallen  the  ancient  race  of  the  O'Flaherty's. 
I  happened  to  be  out,  but  the  major,  fortunately  for  him, 
was  at  home,  and  to  him  he  immediately  repaired,  and  un- 
burdened himself  of  all  his  griefs.  Nimbleton  talked  of 
philosophy,  and  quoted  Xenophon  and  Socrates,  and  some 
half  dozen  others  of  the  ancients.  How  like  a  j)hilosopher 
he  must  have  looked  in  his  braided,  fur-collared  frock,  his 
neck  enveloped  m  a  huge  black  military  stock,  and  his  sharp 
little  features  peering  from  beneath  a  pair  of  bushy  whiskers 
that  would  have  done  honour  to  a  pard. 

"Call  on  your  philosophy,  my  friend,"  heurged,  "there 
is  no  use  in  fretting  for  an  evil  that  cannot  now  be  remedied, 
•  iand  certainly  a  man  lif  your  profound  knowledge  of  the 
world  cannot  be  ignorant;  that  ♦  such  things  will  sometimes 
occur  even  in  the  best  regulated  families.*  Moreover,  will  it 
not  be  a  greater  proof  of  wisdom  not  to  appear  annoyed 
where  the  expression  of  your  displeasure  can  be  of  no  avail  ? 
Your  brother-in-law  — " 

"  He  is  no  brother-in-law  of  mine,"  vehemently  inter- 
rupted the  baronet, — "  do  not  call  him  a  brother-in-law  of 
mine." 

Adroitly  seizing  his  present  mood,  and  perceiving  that  this 
was  not  the  moment  for  tendering  the  consolations  of  philo- 
sophy, Nimbleton  now  joined  Sir  Brien  in  cordial  abuse  of 
the  count,  a  service  which  was  far  more  acceptable  to  the  in- 
dignant and  mortified  baronet  than  all  the  advice  and  conso- 
lation in  the  world  ;  and  when  they  had  finally  settled  it  be- 
tween them,  that  Le  Rapp  was  a  very  great  rascal,  the  in- 
dignation of  the  old  gentleman  was  considerably  appeased, 
and  he  was  once  more  prepared  to  enjoy  the  delightful  society 
of  his  friend. 

A  striking  change  now  took  place  in  the  conduct  of  Man^ 


SCENES   IN   PARIS. 


153 


srprifet^h?B''lhP  '\^''^  ""easiness,  and  was  filled  with 
surprise  at  his  altered  manner  towards  hpr      Tho  k.,      I- 

in  consequence  was  erel  S  "'  '"''  ''"  '""'"heclne,, 
d-W/e  now  became  S«  f  '  "PPearance  at  the  table 

himself  lTanSthith/^''"'''J',''-''  "''""  •*«  '''<'  '^ow 
observation  of  veyon^e  liquid  tT'  of  shunning  the 
into  the  cansp  of  Z.    ■       ■       .       willingly  have  inqn  red 

enterLLd  a  VoVf„:  Tn"S  t?h'™  ■'"  *""  ["'  -''""•  ' 
mvaiiesiion.Sn  .k    ^  interest,  but  he  always  shrunk  from 

Kred  to  Zh  ,hf  J'"!:  ""1  °"  °"^  """"^'i"''.  »h«n  I 
ishE.tVuTinto'tr''*"  "■••  •"'•  """"'  '»  -"y  -•»-- 

Hiritsrat'piT/T^oiLvTd  .rr'^  r^^^ '» ^^p"""- 

nomeans  JpK.    •  J  '°  ""^  ''««"  •'ea'-y.  but  by 

up  *e  who  e  nf  h     '"'■'"'"  "'  '"  ""'"^  ""^v  had  swallowed 

bar?rttS'R(,vmera''nd  ;hff ^  ''i'  ^""'^'y  ''«'—  '"» 
preserve  the  rnm?,f^'  r     """"gb  Emily  could  with  difficulty 

LalbV  r^laeed  ftW    "^l^"".^ '"'^ard.  him,  he  now 

ble,  and  abSp^v  ^     7?u '"  *"'  '*""  ^'  *e  breakfast  ta- 

by  hisa«enul,"nf     "''  ** '"'°'  ^'"   «"'«<•  "11  appetite  . 

Per1ec'urgaTcri''"fk^H  h'"'^  ""  ''"'"  """  "f  *-« 
to  be  veryVarcastta   whl.  k'7"u  '"  \  '"""  *»'  «">'  meant 

"I'wat'  bLiZ  ';^"'"^'"  he  returned,  with  a  fomed  laugh, 

it.   ^Pice?saw1^  ,'""'"^''  *"  '"'"  ''^  hundred  poundsbl 

believe'^e^rr  hin/r .'  "P'  'T"""'  'y''^"''  ™<"  I-  '^bo 
ever^  thing  that  ,t  is  said  to  n,e,  naturally  believed 


154 


FRASCATl's;   OR 


him,  and  risked  the  sum  I  have  just  mentioned  at  it."  "  But 
look  at  this  man,"  he  proceeded,  resting  his  hand  on  the 
poet's  shoulder,  who  happened  to  sit  near  him,  "  this  is  the 
most  complete  philosopher  1  know.  He  too  has  lost  consid- 
erably by  Bob's  system,  and  yet  takes  it  with  the  most  per- 
fect sang  froid  imaginable.  Have  you  not  lost,  Rhy- 
mer ?" 

*'  Oh,  a  trifle,  a  mere  trifle ;  something  paltry  ;   don't 
mention  it.'' 

**  Ah  !  see  his  philosophy  again,"  pursued  Nimbleton  ; 
**  I  know  that  he  has  lost  nearly  four  hundreii,  and  yet  he 
does  not  seem  in  the  least  annoyed  at  it.  I  did  not  take 
the  thing  quite  so  coolly ;  for  when  Bob  came  to  announce 
to  me  that  all  the  money  was  gone,  I  felt  half  inclined  to 
break  his  head  for  his  pains.  Yet  Watson  was  much  more 
violent  than  I,  and  when  I  mentioned  the  result  of  our  sys- 
tem to  him,  I  thought  he  would  have  become  absolutely 
wild.  It  was  very  fortunate  for  Spicer,  that  he  did  not 
communicate  the  intelligence,  for  I  know  not  what  might 
have  been  the  consequence.  But,  as  I  before  observed, 
few  people  are  endowed  with  the  philosophy  of  my  friend 
here.  For  my  own  part,  I  was  not  to  be  trifled  with  ;  but 
told  Spicer,  without  any  ceremony,  that  the  instant  he  mar- 
ried the  heiress  to  whom  he  is  on  the  point  of  being  united, 
I  should  insist  on  his  returning  both  my  friend  Rhymer's 
money  and  my  own  ;  adding  that  a  post-obit  on  his  father 
-would  do  well  enough  for  Watson.  Bob,  who  is  a  queer, 
goodnatured  sort  of  fellow,  (as  you  know,  Rhymer,)  laughed 
heartily  at  the  idea  of  the  post-obit.  He  has  lost  a  large  sum 
within  the  last  few  nights,  and  unless  his  father  dies  in  the 
interim,  we  shall  certainly  be  at  his  wedding  in  the  course 
of  a  week,  for  I  have  strono^ly  advised  him  to, marry." 

This  was  quite  enough,  I  thought,  to  induce  the  jealous 
poet  to  profit  even  further  by  Mr.  Spicer's  ingenious  sys- 
tem, and  I  confess  it  was  not  without  a  secret  pleasure,  that 
I  now  saw  him  in  a  fair  way  to  suflTer  deeply  for  not  having 
listened  to  what  I  had  written  of  my  tour. 

Having  succeeded  in  detaching  Nimbleton  from  Emily  for 


SCENES   IN   PARIS. 


156 


to  .  «  whL   ^^^^^"^^^  "»<^st  interests  us,  is  certain  to  occur 
ler  hid  n.  T  "?  '*°"'-     "^^^  ^S^tation  evinced  by  Man- 

pray?"         ^  '^'      *''*'  'i''«»<'s  do  you  mean, 

which  ofT,  trMotTeurZgL""^  "^'  '"'  '"'"'-'' 


%,. 


156 


l^RAfiCATl's;   OR 


"1  am  the  gentleman,"  exclaimed  my  companion,  with 
his  usual  vivaeiiy,  "  have  you  any  thing  of  importance  to 
communicate  ?'» 

"  Yes,  sir;  my  mistress  Lady  H ,  requests  that  yoa 

will  not  fail  to  call  to-morrow,  as  the  young  ladies  aye  to 
practice  that  new  step  you  taught  them  the  other  day  ?" 

I  felt  vexed  and  annoyed  beyond  measure  ;  still  I  would 
not  suffer  Bougie  to  perceive  it,  for  I  am  seldom  seriously 
angry  with  a  fool,  and  above  all  things  avoid  giving  him  to 
understand  that  I  am  apprised  of  his  weakness,  since  by  so 
doing,  I  not  only  bring  down  upon  myself  the  lasting  ven- 
geance of  folly,  but  make  a  frail  human  being  unhappy, 
without  rendering  him  more  wise. 

"Where  do  you  hang  out?"  pursued  the  dancing-mas- 
ter, when  the  footman  had  departed.  "  I  must  drop  a  card 
lor  you  to-morrow."  * 

*♦  Where  is  your  own  residence  ?"  I  demanded,  evad- 
ing his  question. 

"Ah!  let  me  sec;"  returned  Bougie.  ** Curse  it,  it  is 
•o  Anglified  a  name,  that  it  is  quite  impossible  for  me  even 
to  recollect  the  street.  No  matter,  give  me  your  address, 
that  will  be  sufficient." 

He  now  attempted  a  conversation  with  a  hawker  of  walk- 
ing sticks  ;  although  the  only  words  of  |^ench  he  seemed 
to  use  were  oui  and  non, 

**  Dou  speak  the  language  ?"  h©  said. 
"  Not  a  word,"  I  replied ;  concealing  an  accomplishment 
I  possess  in  an  eminent  degree,  in  order  to  give  him  confi- 
dence to  proceed. 

".'Tis  a  very  difficult  language  for  foreigners,"  he  re- 
sumed ;  and  then,  what  with  his  ouis,  his  nonSf  his  shrugs, 
and  other  pantomimic  tricks,  he  at  length  succeeded  in  im- 
pressing me  with  a  very  high  opinion  of  his  own  knowledge 
of  the  tongue. 

"  Why  you  must  be  a  perfect  French  linguist,"  I  re- 
marked, as  we  now  proceeded  on  our  way,  "  you  seem  to 
epeak  it  with  so  much  fluency  ?" 

"  Why  yes,  tolerably  so ;  but  where  is  the  merit  ?     It  is 


my  na 
speak 
Fort 
ing  Bo 
gentlen 
and  thu 


On  I( 

ing  dow 

"We 

is  a  very 

Connaug 

ter  all ! 

choice,  a 

"Bei 

air  of  the 

ingly  neti 

ton  so  m 

myself. 

"  I  con 

ris,"  he  1 

much  wa 

you  shoul 

ways  desi 

sympathy 

for  it,'»  an 

From  th 

add  to  my 

Morris,  ha 

which  caus 

VOL.  i»— 


SCENES   IN   PARIS. 


157 


my  native  language,  you  know,  and   I  ought  naturaliv  in 
speak  It  better  than  English.*'  •      *      naturally  to 

Fortune  now  kindly  threw  a  friend  in  my  way;  when  tell 
mg  Bougie  that  I  had  something  particular  to  Jv^f^ 
gentleman  opposite,  I  hastily  wished  Wm  a  good  Lr^i'^/ 
and  thus  contrived  to  get  rid  of  him.  morning, 


CHAPTER  XXVII. 

On  leaving  Bougie,  I  joined  Sir  Brien,  who  was  walk. 


1A8 


FRA8CATI*8;  OR 


by  the  police. "  Mj  dearest  and  most  intimate  friends  were 
overjoyed  when  they  met  me  walking  fearlessly  through  the 
street,  as  they  all  declared  they  were  apprehensive  I  had 
been  the  oflender.  Of  those  who  professed  regard  for  me, 
some  gave  out  that  he  was  my  brother ;  others  made  him 
my  first  c  usin  ;  while  all  disinterested  speakers  maintained 
stoutly  that  he  was  only  a  distant  relation.  In  fact,  so  ha- 
rassed was  I  by  the  kind  inquiries  of  my  friends,  each  de- 
tailing to  the  porter  the  motive  of  his  visit,  that  I  felt  half  in- 
clined to  publish  my  genealogy,  and  prove  at  once  to  the 
world  that  not  even  the  shadow  of  dishonour  had  ever  at- 
Uiched  to  one  of  my  name. 

Nimbleton,  I  must  confess,  evinced  a  great  deal  of  kind- 
ness towar.ls  me  during  my  troubles,  and  always  defended 
me  in  my  absence,  though  on  such  occasions  he  arrogated 
to  himself  an  intimacy  with  the  Morrisses,  of  which  1  did 
not  altogether  approve.  It  is,  however,  but  natural  to  us,  af- 
ter all,  that  we  should  endeavour  to  raise  ourselves  in  the 
estimation  of  others  by  claiming  acquaintance  with  people 
of  high  rank  and  fortune  ;  and  this  reflection  induced  me,  in 
some  degree,  to  overlook  the  liberty.  Yet  there  was  one 
thing  for  which  I  could  not  pardon  him,  and  that  was  for  ne- 
glecting to  bring  about  an  explanation  between  the  baronet 
and  myself;  for  I  strongly  suspected  that  the  continuance  of 
our  misunderstanding  was  principally  to  be  attributed  to  him. 
It  really  was  a  source  of  great  annoyance  to  me  to  be  com- 
pelled to  forego  an  interchange  of  kind  offices  with  one 
whom  1  had  known  so  long,  and  with  whom  I  had  enjoyed 
uninterrupted  friendship  from  my  very  childhood.  It  natu- 
rally gave  me  great  pain,  and  I  felt  it  the  more  keenly,  in 
consequence  of  my  conviction,  that  in  old  age  friendship 
should  never  be  broken  on  slight  grounds,  because  even 
though  it  be  afterwards  renewed,  the  fire  of  youth  is  want- 
ing to  restore  it  in  all  its  original  warmth. 

£mily  was  not  long  in  remarking  this  singular  change  of 
manner  between  her  uncle  and  myself,  and  one  day  she  came 
up  to  me  in  the  garden,  with  tears  in  her  eyes,  to  inquire  th» 
reason. 


trust  h 

cannot 

concer 

ble,  yc 

she  pn 

"  that  J 

him  no 

unkind 

It  w; 

the  bar 

with  Ei 

anxiety 

Manvei 

"Th 

eagerly; 

"He 

"He 

jectedly 

"He 

I  am  SOI 

"And 

so  genth 

this  sing 

"No, 

"Oh( 

and  with 

off,  in  or 

When 

He  shool 

"lam 

so  much 

high  estee 

feel  solid 

that  he  a 

paused. 

"What 

'♦  Wh;jr, 


«CSNE«  IN   PARIS. 


1S9 


cannot  be  Jo™n  Z  S.v  f  y"'  "'•  **»■■"'•  You 
concerted  hfr^m  if  h„Z  ""  """/.""e*  '""  """y  >!«• 
ble.  you  .hrid  make  everv=.r''"^''''^K  .''''"•' "'""^"'i''- 
.he  proceeded,  S  Zl  "'"""'"'=«''''  i'-     I  fear  too," 

him  now.  I  w  sK,,  w^^t  ft'-  '^ V*  «"''''""  «"«' »« 
unkind  to  him/'     '^      ^°"''' ""'' '"'»  ''  "y  ""cle  has  been 

.heVrr„eTa^d''myre!f''':L*bur'''""  -r"""""?  ""-- 
with  Emily ;  1,0  "ever  I  r  -  <*  "  "''"'.'•  """'i'l""'*"" 
anxietyof  love  I  towLr  I  '  "  f "  =•"    '»'"'»  f"  'he 

«-f  -  'J  Srie'nds  ir;'"  ' '""  ^-  -'«  -" 


j^uw.uijr  on  ner  bosom. 

.■;^i"itf :,*r1*  "^F~  - 

'his  singular  chan^  f^       ^^  y""  "«"  <""'"«  'he  cause  oi: 

"oh%7Mr»iorr"l'rshlr^ ''  " P"'"'  •»  fi"d  i'  out." 
and  with  a  .othw  warm  n^       *"  "r"  ?"=*"  "''"«-"' '"  Vou." 

off,  in  order  reJcareNiET      .    '  ^^"^'  '*'«  ^"'""^ 

When  the  ma  or  1'ame  ,m    r  '  "'"  ""^  approuehinsr. 
He  shoot  his  hia^d  my™:rl's//'"'''^  '^  '"'»  "^M-™"- 

-  rTife^i^e^'W  KT/at  f- 1""-  ''  - 
high  esteem  I  entertain  L.h    ?  ^'^herty  as  he  was.    The 

feel  solicitous  for  the  welft  '  '  ^'?''^\">»kes  me  naturally 

"'a'  he  cannott  too^a  eW  rf  1?  "7%^"/  '  "«"»'  ^'•v 
paused.  "*'"'  of  her  j  fof  I  fear,"  and  he 

Whj..  my  dear  f„e„d,"  he  replied,  "  J  am  a  man  of  the 


160 


FRASCATl's;   OR 


world,  and  I  regret  to  say  that  I  kftow  too  much  of  that 
young  Manvers  to  consider  him  a  proper  companiion  for 
Miss  O'Flaherty.  I  could  say  much  on  this  subject,  and 
indeed  I  know  not  whether  I  am  not  bound  in  honour  and 
in  friendship  to  Sir  Brien,  to  declare  what  I  know  ;  but  the 
fact  is,  I  am  so  tender  of  man's  fair  reputation.  You  recol- 
lect that  fine  passage  in  Shakspeare  ?" 

"  Yes,  major,"  I  replied,  **  and  he  pffks  it,  if  I  mistake 
not,  into  the  mouth  of  a  very  great  rascal — '  purserobbing,' 
I  think,  is  part  of  it." 

"  True,"  pursued  Nimbleton ;  *'  but  as  I  was  saying,  no 
man,  my  dear  friend,  can  be  more  tender  of  another's  repu- 
tation than  myself." 

"  Nor  less  of  your  own,  major ;  but  excuse  me,  I  fear  I 
am  interrupting  you." 

"  No  matter,  my  dear  friend.  All  that  I  wish  to  impress 
on  your  mind  is,  that  I  would  on  no  account  speak  in  depre- 
ciation of  another,  unless  I  was  perfectly  prepared  to  prove 
what  I  stated.  Mr.  Manvers,  I  fear — but  do  not  press  me 
further — still  I  must,  as  a  friend,  advise  you  to  beware  of 
him." 

**  Major  Nimbleton,"  I  replied,  haughtily,  "  you  talk  of 
your  delicacy  and  disinclination  to  wound  another's  reputa- 
tion, and  yet  you  have  taken  the  basest,  and  most  treacher- 
ous course  that  slander  ever  adopted, — insinuation.  Now, 
state  facts,  sir,  oi  I  shall  tencefoith  consider  you  the  most 
infamous  of  slanderers." 

"  Gently,  gently,  my  dear  friend,**  returned  Nimbleton, 
with  the  most  imperturbable  nonchala-ce,  "  this  young  man, 
it  is  evident,  has  imposed  on  you.  You  know  not  human 
nature  as  well  as  I  do." 

"  What !"  said  I,  angrily,  "  do  you  question  my  Know- 
ledge of  human  nature  ?  Know,  sir,  that  it  is  my  favourite 
study." 

"  Pardon  me,"  he  returned,  "  the  error  lies  entirely  in 
my  inability  to  express  myself  with  precision.  I  simply 
meant  to  say  that  you  have  more  of  philanthropy,  and  less 
of  suspicion  in  your  nature  than  I  have,    Put  in  respect  tQ 


tCKSEt  iN  Putts. 


I6i 


«  young  man  of  most  ,31^^  "  "'*'*•  '^^  certainly  is 
ceived  the  bes.educatl'^T.h?""!.'"!""*"''  ^"^  ''«'«" 
tooay,  hishea  tandprine  "l^ar^H-'  ll"!"".''  ="»  »"">■ 
sin  is  fully  aware  of  hi,  m?.„^  T  f^'"?"/  W.     My  cou- 

reply  to  my  relation  »,M  '''"'»''  '  eooW  for  him,  ana  in 

ooTfll'"5-ttTS '  "t^*-^^'^^^ 

deem  very  culpabte  •  but  T  rp»r'  "^'"^  ^  ^'«'»'  '<"'  ^'i" 

I  told  my^^onsf^  tha't  I  wJuTd  sLXT  "^""^l  '^y'"^'  "^  "• 
send  him  out  of  Paris  •  Z  h.  "PP  7  him  with  money,  and 

finding  the  high  r^ad  to  S,eVXv:%  '  "'^  ■=''^"f  "' 
much  longer.     Indeed  his  Pnn§„.^'      "®  "">""""«»  ''ere 
quite  sufficient  t^have  ^1  ?L  "^ '"^  f  M*"'*'"'''.  'vas 
posed  to  do  him  anTlrv      kJ^'^'  ^'^.^  '"'""  "'  ^»'«^- 
&ir,  he  has  been  enSTn  ,»™^  "dependently  of  this  af- 
pable  nature.     He"?S>ver  ^'f  ?^T^  »"  ^O"""/  <="1- 
themostfashionaWehoSTs  whl°K**  ''^''"  "f '''•«qn«nti„g 
by  some  one  or  other  of  Ih!^^!     ■"»  ^Pe^'os  "e  defrayed 
'oirh,  and  <fo«rt/parUes  to  wh!*  hT"'"  '?'^'«'''  '^''o  give 
unsuspeeting  EngCn  ^L    ^  *"*  ""'■f'S^^'  young  and 
in  these  pla4s.'     '"'  ^^  "nsreaessly  plundered 

en.;fc«Srfi;irfrul"onh*°"T,^  '^  »"-  "is 
nence  of  his  countrymen  ll  *!""?''''">'«"'  "'«^P«- 
fi«tinstance.thatheffiiseo^J'':„^f'';,,'?,'ho'n  i"  the 
wmningat  roueeet  niZ  „™*^<'  »n  mfallible  system  lor 

pockets  it  wUhouTriskin^.Thni-  """/'"S  *'  '"i"  ^flfe"'. 
"■ey  will  risk  DO  more  i?.hL'""'"f'  »"^  ".hen  he  finds  tha 
with  him  at  one  ofTese  hous«  f'  'T*^  *«»  '«  <«ne 
W.byahostof  sW«  hTth  f*'^*?"^  <>«»««•  »t 
then,  with  the  excenUo„Tf  w^,Kw\*"^  '^•°^'«-  This, 
stitutes  his  sole  mZ^  "fl^pt.  '^"'"'^''"'»  hi"'-  con- 
Now,  sir,  you  have  hi,  Vh."". 

"02"'°"""'  ™"  '  snouid  be  glad 


162 


FRASCATI  8 ;  OR 


to  know  what  man  can  say  that  any  part  of  my  statement  iff 
untrue.  I  am  sorry  for  him,  very  sprry  indeed,  but  I  must 
positively  speak  to  Sir  Brien  on  the  subject  i  for  you  know, 
my  dear  friend,  it  would  be  a  dreadful  calamity  should  he  by 
any  chance  succeed  in  gaining  the  affections  of  that  innocent 
Emily.  Indeed  it  would  be  dreadfully  shockingf  and  should 
such  an  event  take  place,  how  could  we  forgive  ourselves 
for  having  withheld  a  knowledge  of  his  true  character  from 
the  baronet  ?  Such  remissness  would  be  shameful.  Friend- 
-ship  and  charity  forbid  it.  Sir  Brien  must  be  apprised  of  it. 
I  wish,  my  dear  sir,  you  would  undertake  the  task,  for  by 
my  soul,  even  though  I  would  sacrifice  every  thing  in  the 
world  to  my  friendship  for  O'Flaherty,  still  it  is  offensive  to 
my  feelings  to  report  any  thing  infamous  of  another.  Do, 
my  dear  fellow,  oblige  me  so  far.  I  know  you  will  do  it 
much  better  than  myself." 

I  however  begged  to  decline  interfering  in  any  way,  and 
the  major  at  length  so  far  overcame  his  delicacy  and  tender 
feelings,  as  to  determine,  that  si  ice  he  was  compelled  to  do 
so,  he  would  not  shrink  from  the  performance  of  even  so 
painful  a  duty.  ^ 

"I  pity  that  poor  young  creature,"  he  pursued,  dexterously 
turning  the  conversation  on  Emily.  "  I  pity  her  extremely, 
since  she  has  lost  the  protection  of  her  aunt.  Her  situa- 
tion is  beset  with  danger,  and  Sir  Brien,  I  fear,  is  far  too 
goodnatured,  and  too  unsiispectirg  for  a  charge  of  such  re- 
sponsibility. Now  you,  my  dear  sir,  a  friend  of  the  family, 
and  one  so  conversant  with  the  ways  of  the  world  j  you, 
on  my  honour,  I  think  ought  to  do  something  for  the  young 
girl.  You  certainly  must  know  of  some  eligible  person, 
Is  there  no  one  ihat  you  would  recommend  ?*' 

♦*  No  indeed,  major,  I  know  of  no  one  worthy  of  Miss 
OTlaherty,  unless  it  should  be  yourself." 

"  Oh,  do  not  mention  it.  You  know  I  am  not  a  marry- 
ing man ;  besides,  I  could  never  think  of  marrying  a  wo- 
man possessed  of  property — too  sordid,  in  the  extreme. 
\  ha^ve,  also,  a  great  dead  oC  foolish  family  pride  ^bout  me. 


«CENES   IN  PARIS. 


163 


into  the  world  b^Tome  Zh-.    K^         ^^'^^  been  brought, 
rest  ?    But  then   E  OT^fc       '"''?  ^^'"»P*  ^^«»  ^^e 
the  first  fa^ille^s  fn^h^  '^K^^^  ^  ^/^ne  of 

kinswoman.'*  ^^uicover,  sne  is  my  own 

fore  Rhymer  sTs  us  T„H  r  ^?"'!:.<=<>"'«.  1"  «»  be  off  be-  . 


CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

I REAUT  had  no  desire  to  read  mv  maniia/>rin>  .„  m- 

"iuj-n  curiosity,  that  at  last,  rather  to  set  rid  of  h;«»  ♦», 
l'l!"y  f".'  vie?'.  I  took  out  the  JVLreJ'J'Z 
hid  I  ^ri""""  "'^  »"'  adventures  at  BouloZ      Wh™  r 
had  finished  my  task,  he  commenced  a  «J^f\J.Tj 


164 


PItASCATI*S;   OR 


marks,  and  drew  a  comparison  between  Rhymer  and  my- 
self, on  the  score  of  talent  and  capability,  such  as  it  would 
ill  become  one  of  my  excessive  modesty  to  repeat,  or  even 
to  allude  to,  further  than  as  it  affords  a  proof  of  his  own 
literary  discernment. 

"  Rhymer,"  he  observed,  "  although  possessed  of  strong 
natural  endowments,  is  not  capable  of  appreciating  your 
work,  and  for  two  reasons.  In  the  first  instance,  he  is  jea- 
lous, excessively  jealous, — that  is  his  bane.  In  the  second, 
he  has  not  sufficient  depth  of  mind  to  feel  all  the  hidden 
beauties  of  your  style.  He  is  clever  enough,  I  admit,  at 
those  lighter  subjects  which  are  suited  to  lyric  poetry  ;— 
this  seems  to  be  his  forte ;  but  you — you,  my  dear  friend, 
are  possessed  of  that  towering  genius  which  can  dive  into 
the  secret  caverns  of  the  heart,  trace  the  rise  and  cause  of 
the  passions,  and  describe  them,  moreover,  with  almost  in- 
credible felicity  of  language.  Your  pathos  falls  like  dew 
on  the  willow  leaf,  and  your  humour  embodies  itself  at  once 
into  life,  lending  the  powerful  impress  of  nature  to  your 
characters;,  and  producing  emotions  in  the  reader,  which  it 
is  the  exclusive  privilege  of  talent  like  yours  to  awaken. — 
But  I  will  ref  ain  from  further  comment,  since  I  am  well 
persuaded  you  must  entertain  too  correct  an  estimate  of 
your  own  powers,  not  to  believe  that  any  commendation  of 
mine,  however  warm,  and  springing  from  conviction,  must 
fall  far  short  of  your  merits.  I  confess,"  he  added,  with  a 
sigh, "  I  had  some  idea  of  writing  a  Tour  of  this  kind  my- 
self, but  after  what  you  have  just  read  to  me,  I  shall  aban- 
don the  thought  altogether  in  despair." 

Common  politeness  had  induced  me  to  listen  thus  far  to  the 
encomiums  of  the  major;  but  unwilling  as  I  felt  to  inter- 
rupt him,  my  modesty  could  endure  it  no  longer,  and  I  en- 
treated him  to  change  the  subject  of  conversation. 

He  did  as  desired.  **  At  what  hour  does  Lafitte's  bank 
close  for  the  day  V*  he  asked. 

"  I  rather  think  at  four,"  I  replied. 

♦•  It  surely  can't  be  that  yet,"  he  pursued.  **  Will  you 
have  the  kindness  to  look  at  your  watch  ?" 


SCENES  IN  PabIS. 


165 


"gZv^JJ    'i"'"'\'?:     "^  late!"  he  exclaimed. 
deSuUvthe .;  J  1?  '"'"'''  5"^"  ""'"S'"  "  '     Well,  how 

havHone  on  r.»H  "  ""^m  «™"a° '•»»'•.  and  you  might 
dreamfrnf  ,?  't?''"'g  """'  morning,  without  my  oSce 
bank  .oil.  '? l'  ''?"'••  '  «»•'  I  am  too  late  for  the 
Swr™  mv  \"i*''  I'  *'  °"'y  '^"""^  inconvenient 

to-morrow  '^t!.^  ^  J*  "*  J"^"^  *  '^^  Napoleons  until 
«^n,  Sat  ^ill  h  "  "'fl-''^''"''  r^"=^  y-  P>«ase  ;  ah,  say  fif- 
thr^e  is  a  lu^L  V  k"""''  •<"! '  """«''  hundred  francsf and 
wm  hP  Vuvl  ^  """T'  y°"  ""X"^-  That  tour  of  yours 
toows  b,f,  ?  '"•  '"  '^""^  '"''"■"«»  of  ''"""e,  andTho 

A  fil '^?u  •■  °^  """""S  ™y  friends." 
pretarLt'!.;;'  T  '"'PT"''«  ^  "'efi'se.  and  I  accordingly 

down  that  i,  th.  /^  ?       *'"P  *  moment,  I  shall  nolo  it 

*e  pen  nea/l  yoTh^^'CJ'''''^^''^^"  "»'  -  ^"^  "ave 
yourself."  ^  "*"*'  '"^''^  a  memorandum  of  it 

Phanged  my  oDhifon  n?t     ™'  '^"""'-      '»  ^act  I  had 

been  closS  CXr  L  l"  ™"  """-" '"^  '""*  "^  ""^ 
•ake  the  S  •  C  h  ^.","1''  ""' ''"«  ™ff«fed  him  to 

one  who,  as  Vman  o^Ter"  '.'''  '"  "i"^'^  >"  «°  *»'™« 

-sihiy  Wise   tZll/LTy  T^u^.r^'""''  ""''"  '''  - 

»"ed,  a^7e„;,h    Z  *"*•"  P"""""  *e  major,  as  we  is- 
*e  best  ho"fse  afdT?,.?^  apartments.     "I  always  select 

.economy's  sake     Phf  ^7-  **  ^f"«"  d'""«'''  fo'  »heer 
•  ,      my  s  sake.     Cheap  dmner?  I  have  invariably  found 


■>  ta 


166 


frascati*h;  or 


to  prove  the  most  e3Epen«ive  in  the  end  ;  for  you  pay  for 
what  you  cannot  possibly  eat,  and  meet  with  society  that 
is  any  thing  but  respectable ;  raen  who  are  ready  to  bor- 
row your  money  from  you  at,  every  moment.  I  have  been 
sadly  fleeced  in  this  manner ;  but,  unfortunately,  i  havt?  such 
a  weak  heart,  that  I  cannot  resist  the  application  of  a  felloMr 
creature  in  distress.  Now,  however,  J.  avoid  »!!  but  the 
dearest  houses,  where  they  never  iiurade  themselves. — 
Which  do  you  prefer,  Very's  or  Laitaiie's  ?  I  renom  :^end 
the  latter ;  (or  the  wines  are  rather  better.  The  Laiitt  ;^  an  i 
Champagne  aro  the  fivpnt  in  the  world,  and  I  am  au  ^j, 
when  you  have  tasted  iricm,  you  will  agree  vj^ith  me  entirely. 
Come  along,  let  us  go  io  Lsst  lire's." 

Presuming  thatNiinbl^kn<  v  ished  me  to  accompany  him 
as  his  guest,  1  of  coim^e  f.s.-'.nied,  and  we  set  out  for  his  iu- 
vourite  restaurant.  We  had  the  most  expensive  dinner 
they  could  give  us  j  and  not  a  bottle  of  the  choice  wines 
would  the  major  suffer  to  be  opened  until  Monsieur  Laitair^^: 
ji^aade  his  appearmce  in  person. 

*'Laitaire,"  he  observed,  expressively,  "  I  have  brought 
you  a  gentleman,  who  has  it  in  his  power  to  be  of  great 
flervics  to  your  establishment,  so  be  very  particular  in  the 
wines  yon  give  us,  for  he  is  one  of  the  best  judges  in  the 
world.  1  have  recommended  your  house  to  him  as  the  best 
in  Paris,  therefore,  do  not  fail  to  make  my  word  good." 

Monsieur  Laitaire  expressed  himself  delighted  with  the 
honour  I  had  done  him,  and  in  the  course  of  the  evening 
jdrew  a  very  fair  proportion  of  choice  corks.  At  length,  in 
due  course,  the  bill  was  produced,  not  exactly  what  I  should 
have  chosen  to  h?.ve  paid  for  myself;  but  as  I  considered 
that  I  was  Nimble tOk^'s  guest,  this  was  of  very  little  conse- 
quence to  me.  However,  I  perceived  that  the  gargon  kept 
looking  at  me,  as  If  he  expected  I  should  settle  it.  I,  in 
turn,  looked  at  the  major ;  but  the  major  had  his  eyes  so 
steadily  fixed  on  the  lustre,  the  beautiful  workmanship  »■ 
which  he  was  extolling  in  the  most  extravagant  manner,  t'  u. 
at  length,  in  order  not  to  apv^.  .ir  shabby  in  the  estimat''*  of 
^he  waite*^^,  I  was  compelled  .    acknowledge  the  amc'vr^t. 


SCENES  IN  PARIS* 


i6i 


su^^dL^way  flLlhe^obr;^/!!?"^'"^  companion,  turning 

eel,  .ith  an  aiJ^half^o  trpte  falfoVor"'^'^^""V^"^"^'- 
k^  pitying  the  bill  ?         ^      '        °^  offence,  what  I  meant 

house-Laifaire  will  o  klV^rh  ?V^®  P^°P^«  °^  ^^e 
^ould  rather  borrow  mnl  m"  '!^''^^  ***  '"^'^^  ^^  this.  I 
to  puy  for  our  dinner  Howev7  wT  T  '^^"  «"^«^  ^^^ 
vnatterin  this  way;  you  murni'  ^  "^l,"  ^^"^P^omise  the 
other  time,  and  I  wilUven  HuiTK'"^  '"^  ^'""^  ^^^^  '"^  ^o'ne 
wiih  you.     Yes  ves  to?       !'  *^^  P'^'^"^  ^'"  ^  remain 

other  money  about  him  thai^pr".''"?'"?^  ''«  hal  no 
had  .0  recently  borrowed  Lenl™  ^"?*^"''  '"'•''"•'  "»««  he 
once  a  man  begin,,  he  seldom  if  '  "  ''i'*  ''""'»?•  "ho" 
must  be  unnecLary  to  add  Si?"*?  ■  *''"*  '"  ^toP-     »' 

Whether  it  wasTwi^„  J  a    '  P^""  """  '"'*• 
•tapidily  of  Ihrperrrmfnce  ftn"'"''  '  u"'"  ''"y  »'  *« 

'hat  I  neverlis  Jed  to  an  on;ri^hhl"°''r '""  """'''"  "  "• 
return  home  about  midnLh?  '*'*  pleasure.     On  our 

take  some  refreshment  ai^^'LT  TJl""'/'^  '"*"  ""«  "^"o  ^ 
agreeable  lounge  enCwhrir,  >,  '\'  f  """"«^-  '^''i'  «  an 
litUe  astonished  to  find  fL.h/  ''.^''helor;  but  I  was  not  a 
I  me.  there,  werl  those  wt  had  tn'^K^  ""'  ^."«'*"""''" 
joyment  of  the  nuptial  coWract  jJ  ^"  'V^^  ^"^  «»■ 
duced  to  give  a  kev  Z  ,h^  '  P^'^'  Pos»'Wy,  be  in- 

fo so,  the^Ust  wSfVcite  no  m^  '"'"'''''*.'•  ™<1  ^hould^ 
first  families  of  the  kinX  ""''""      """^  "''  "^ 

«po»i  paytetit '"J^fhte  ^'^^^  "'■-■-<'*'' 

entered,  when  a  ve";  b^auS  I  '  ''""'"^''  ''^^n  '""g 

dressed  herself  to  Nimblcton     sTv""T  """"^  "P  =""<  "* 

uinimoicton.    Several  expressions  of  en- 


168 


f  RASCATI^S  ;    on 


dearment  passed  between  them  in  the  French  tongue,  s-vhich 
seemed  to  have  bo  powerful  an  effect  on  my  friend,  that, 
calling  me  on  one  side,  he  requested  as  a  particular  favour, 
I  would  letjiim  have  whatever  Napoleons  I  might  chance 
to  have  about  me,  as  he  could  not  possibly  think  of  bemg 
so  imprudent  as  to  change  the  five  hundred  franc  billet. 

Another  would  have  selfishly  pleaded  a  fear  of  not  havmg 
enough  to  defray  the  expenses  of  the  night,  but  this  was 
an  excuse  unworthy  of  me,  and  aware,  moreover,  of  the 
temptation  by  which  I  was  surrounded,  I  rather  dreaded  the 
idea  of  having  any  money  about  me  ;  I  therefore  delivered 
all  I  had  into  his  keeping,  and  saw  no  more  of  him  lor  the 
evening.  There  are  men,  and  Nimbleton  was  certainly  the 
first  among  these,  who,  however  much  the  heart,  the  reason, 
and  the  judgement  may  condemn  the  weakness,  impercep- 
tibly work  on  our  credulity,  and  obtain  all  that  they  desire. 
On  my  return  at  a  late  hour  to  the  hotel,  the  day's  expenses 
obtruded  themselves  on  my  memory,  and  1  could  not  but 
wonder  at  the  admirable  tact  the  major  had  displayed.  Had 
any  one  told  me  in  the  morning,  that  ere  midmght  I  should 
have  read  a  part  of  my  tour  to  Nimbleton,  lent  him  twenty 
pounds,  paid  for  his  dinner,  taken  him  to  the  Opera  and  the 
Idalie,  and  summed  up  by  handing  him  over  all  the  money 
I  had  left  in  my  possession,  I  should  certainly  have  said, 
that  that  man  was  mad,  and  knew  but  little  of  the  firmness 
and  decision  of  character  of  Rambleton  Moms. 

On  my  way  down  to  breakfast  the  next  morning  I  over- 
took Nimbleton  on  the  staircase,  and  inquired  how  he  found 
himself  after  his  night's  raking?  .     u  *  v.    ti, 

"  Spirits  good,  ray  dear  friend,  pockets  empty,  but  health 
in  abundance.  I  hope,  by  the  way,  you  have  kept  an  ac- 
count of  what  I  had  yesterday,  for  I  have  not ;  I  hate  figures, 
and  would  much  rather  overpay  a  trifling  sum  than  distract 
myself  with  dry  accounts.  Pray  let  me  know  m  the  course 
of  the  day  how  much  it  is,  that  I  may  go  to  my  banker's, 
for  most  assuredly  if  it  escapes  my  memory  I  shall  be  com- 
pelled to  draw  on  you  again,  which  will  be  very  disagree- 
able, for  I  do  not  like  borrowing,  even  from  a  particular 


fCKUSa  IN  PARIS, 


160 


ir»ight?  I  fear  you  m^K''  '"f  '™*  "'""''  "™S'«  home 
"S"'-  •  A  lear  yon  missed  yoftr  wav  ak  HIta  rn»<.vr  w 

1  inciy  yet  De  induced  to  change  my  m  nd  notwiih^^tnnHJn- 
We  had  nowr  reached  the  Balk  d  mnn^er^ where  the  n.»«l 

widow,  who  had  only  relumed  the  day  befor*  from  a,-™.™ 
try  excursion,  were  now  in  hieh  snirits  m Tfo^  h  "' 

to  crown  .heir  happiness,  andrrbSL'par^Ve  rneT" 
Z  T^T^  ™  *"'?*'*■' "'  ""  *'*  morning/  WhHrn  buM 
arril^  .r;,''"  "I human  felicity?  A^^^tlemanrwho hid 
J^^,,}!^V"''i'"3  *™"'"S' '»»''  »  »•»'  »t  fl'i  table  te^ 

preset.  beZhp        "*  ''"^  ??y  ''"''>'  °'"  •>'»  acqnaintan^ 
Sennick      5^  commenced  h,s  breakfest.  soon  ^cognized 

J^2  '^  zi  t  z':::;^ro?tTnrm?rrtr  7 

•r,.M    "  I  ? •J'^'"'  *  ''°^™  ''™e'  •»  'he  course  of  a  minute 
rredenmck  did  no^  however,  lose  his  presence  of  S 

n,»l  i.  ^7^'  "y  ^'*'"' '"  he  replied  with  a  L"-". 
t?T  ^7"  •'"'•ied  them  all  off  nearly  about  tt•«m^ 


170 


FRASCATI  8  ;   OR 


time.  You  knew  Mrs.  Tredeiinick  well,  she  certainly  was 
a  most  excellent  woman,  and  i  cnn  npver  sufficiently  mourn 
her  loss  ;  but  when  did  you  i  )W  extiemely  well 

you  are  looking.'* 

"  Good  Heaven  !"  exclai^aea  the  stranger,  without  no- 
ticing the  concluding  sent:  nee,  "  what  a  fatality  J  a  wife  and 
six  cnildren — a  healthy  and  flourishing  family  all  carried  oflf 
within  four  months !  Alas  !  my  dear  friend,  how  dreadful 
must  be  your  affliction  !"  And  thus  hr  \^.ii  ji.  sympa- 
thizing with  Tredcnnick,  and  asking  particulars  in  regard  to 
the  complaint,  until  the  latter  at  length  became  so  confused, 
that  even  the  widow  seemed  to  feel  all  her  hopes  of 
marriage  were  Eiout  to  be  annihilated.  The  rest  of  the 
party  were  very  differently  affiected,  a! id  the  baronet's  eye 
unfortunately  fmcountering  that  of  the  lady,  at  the  moment 
when  he  was  on  the  point  of  bursting  into  an  immoderate 
fit  of  laughter,  completed  her  apprehension  and  her  despair. 
Even  the  ironical  gentleman,  who  was  seldom  amused  with 
any  thing,  could  not  suppress  his  mirth  en  thiis  occasion, 
and  titterings  and  whisperings  succeeded  each  other  rapidly 
throughout  the  room.  For  my  part,  I  did  not  at  all  enjoy 
the  scene  ;  for,  alas  !  in  spite  of  myself,  I  could  not  help 
thinking  of  yesterday's  expenses,  and  I  now  distinctly  per- 
ceived that  there  was  a  gieat  deal  too  much  clevernr  s  in 
Paris.  Nimbleton  also,  I  remarked,  looked  exceedingly 
serious,  and  seemed  to  entertain  more  sympathy  m  Treden- 
nick's  embarrassment  than  J  could  have  giv     him  credit  for. 

The  widow  now  retired  u  her  apartmtiat,  and  ^'reden- 
nick  and  the  stranger  continued  in  low  but  vehement  con- 
versation at  the  bottom  of  the  ii-  'e.  It  war  evident,  'from 
thejnanner  of  the  former,  that  he  was  taxing  the  stranger 
with  having  been  guilty  of  some  indiscretion,  of  which  the 
other  now  evidently  repented ;  and,  oc'casiciially,  I  could 
observe  that  the  major  glanced  towards  bvp  ith  a  look  of 
anxiety  and  annoyance. 

Manvers  now  entered  the  room,     tn  an  m.  ant  Emily' 
^aze  wa    lirected  towards  the  door,  but  the  momentary  sa- 
tisfaction that  beamed  in  her  coutitenance  speedily  passed 


iCENES   IN  PARn. 


171 


awav,   an  J  her  head  fell  on  her  breast.    The  deeoent  «n 
been  t»to,,k.,MPJf      "«.**'  •"»  cn'tomary  p  ace  had 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

mir,  Pf  ""/"'S  »":ene  had  been  a  source  of  much  amuae. 

room  his  good  humour  deserted  him.  an  expression  of^aan! 
prntmeii.  passed   over  his  features    and Tappeared  3 

'  ana  mc  iron    d    gentleman  were  the  only  Dersonah*. 

Ka"iS  d'a/d"""  'Reformer  to  leave  the  room.- 
rirl  prZled  rlh  '"'"  "  '■!  *"'  T"""'  «''e  tremblinj 
L  rEf!  ^j  J  •"•'  ■  "  ""  ••"  ""«'«•  evidently  repenteS 
mem  mf-. ;     /„H '"  "  l™'.' .g''"!''  «°ne.  "  Retir^for*^.  mcK 

IV iJ??        u'   5*^ ;  .'""  J"'"  y°"  presently."  ' 

wh.^%    D  "  ^™1if  '•*'■ '»  *«  •'"Of  -""l  presenUy  returned 

when  SirB   en,  addressing  himself  t„    ^anvers,  sdd  "  Yon 

wm  excuse  me,  sir,  if  I  request  thn      ou  ^U  for  thffo. 

are  consKl  u  yourself  an  utter  strange     ot  oTly  to  me.  bu 

.  ssL  H'T'  W'll  not  say.  neither  d.  I  conceive  f  ne- 
'  »9ary  lo  explain   the  motive  of  my     onuuct     Of    ,i« 
.lowever,  vou  mav  h,   a^      ^A   ,,  """uci.     ur    ns, 

nn.  K         ^ :     T  "  ^"i  "'"'  my  determ      ''on  'laa 

not  been  cnt.  .d  into  wii  .out  sufficlm  cause." 

the  ve^'''.nT.-''''V!""? """""'"'       of^'hono       that 
llie  very  i..,p,.(ation  of  .t  often  inv    t;      ,m  Wuh  the  appea^ 


172 


VRA8CAT1  •  ;   OR 


ance  of  guilt.  Manvert  was  too  deeply  affected  to  reply 
immediately.  He  turned  pale  as  death,  trembled  exces" 
lively,  and  seemed  utterly  confounded.  At  length  with  a 
violent  effort  at  self-command,  he  started  to  his  feet,  ex<- 
claiming,  **  Suspicion,  or  capr!  ,  or  slander,  sir,  may  in- 
duce you  thus  to  wound  my  feelings,  but  no  one  act  of  mine 
can  justify  your  insinuations  against  my  character.  You 
are  at  liberty  to  reject  my  society  if  such  be  your  pleasure, 
but  not  on  the  score  of  dishonour.  And  breathes  there  a 
man,*'  he  pursued,  f  neninghis  eye  on  Nimbleton  with  an 
expression  that  seemed  to  make  the  latter  feel  very  uncom- 
fortable, *'  breathes  there  a  man  who  dare  cast  the  slightest 
shadow  of  a  stigma  on  me  ?  If  so,  let  him  but  avow  it  to 
my  face ;  'tis  all  I  ask." 

>  "  This  is  not  the  point,  sir,"  returned  the  baronet,  per- 
ceiving that  the  m^jor  was  by  no  means  prepared  to  accept 
the  challenge.  ,  **It  is  sufficient  that  I  desire  we  may  for 
the  future  consider  ourselves  as  strangers  to  each  other, 
neither  do  I  wish  to  enter  into  any  altercation  on  the  sub- 
ject." 

Manvers  rose,  seized  his  hat,  and  with  evident  agitation 
of  manner,  though  without  uttering  a  word,  instantly  quitted 
the  room. 

**By  Heavens,  he  is  not  a  dishonourable  character!"  ex- 
claimed the  ironical .  gentleman,  whose  countenance  during 
this  short  scene  had  proved  him  no  indifferent  spectator ; 
**  he  is  not  a  dishonourable  character,  let  his  other  faults  and 
imperfections  be  what  they  may." 

**  Ask  Major  Nimbleton,"  drily  observed  Sir  Brien. 

**  I  will.  Pray,  sir,  have  you  any  charge  of  dishonour 
to  advance  agaipst  that  young  man  ?" 

**  I  am  sorry  to  say  I  have,  my  dear  sir,"  replied  Nimble- 
ton, somewhat  disconcerted  by  the  scrutinizing  glance  of 
his  interrogator.  *'■  He  once  swindled  me  out  of  some  thou- 
sands of  francs,  under  the  pretence  of  having  discovered  an 
infallible  system  for  winning  at  rouge  et  noir,  I,  who 
knew  nothing  of  gaming  whatever,  was  easily  induced  to 
advance  him  the  money:  when  instead  of  risking  it  at  tb^ 


■OliNEfl   IN   PARIS. 


179 


table,  he  pocketed  the  whole  ium  and  suddenly  disappeared. 
Wo  man  is  more  tenacious  of  another's  reputaUon  than  my- 
self ;  but  my  great  respect  for  Sir  Brien  has  induced  me  to 
pomt  out  the  risk  he  must  incur  in  continuing  so  dangerous 
anacquamtance."  *        «»8oruu> 

"And  vet,"  observed  the  ironical  gentleman,  musinirlv, 
*  he  ought  not  to  have  wanted  money.     By  the  by,   sir," 
he  pursued,  starting  suddenly,  after  a  minute  examination 
0!  the  major  s  features,  -now  that  I  behold  you  nearer,  I 
cannot  say  that  I  discover  so  much  simplicity  about  you. 
1  rather  think  it  would  require  a  much  deeper  character  than 
J  suspect  Mr.  Manvers  to  be,  to  cajole  you  so  easily  out  of 
your  money.     I  have  not  had  an  opportunity  of  examininir 
your  features  attentively  until  this  moment,  and  were  it  not 
tor  the  prodigious  quantity  of  beard  with  which  your  face 
IS  covered,  I  think  I  could  trace  a  very  great  resemblance 
to  a  gentleman  I  had  once  the  misfortune  to  meet  with  at 
Brighton.     Prav,  may  I  ask  if  you  have  ever  been  there  ? 
and  If  so,  whether  you  recollect  having  seen  me  before?" 
tlr^ur^  "®*  ^''^'"  ^'nphatically  declared  the  major. 
Then  I  must  be  wrong,, of  course  ;  but  you  must  ex- 
cnse  me  if  I  say,  that  so  striking  is  your  resemblance  to  ray 
Brighton  acquaintance,  that  if  you  should  ever  again  be  taken 
for  him,  and  by  some  less  temperate  person  than  myself,  the 
result  may  prove  rather  disagreeable  to  a  man  of  your  nice 
leelinp  and  strict  sen^e  of  honour.     However,  as  you  are 
not  the  same  individual,   and  have  been   so  very  genorous 
and  copfiding  in  thisaflair,  I  will  make  inquiry  into  it;  and 
as  I  happen  to  know  something  of  Mr.  Manvers's  family, 
1  think  I  can  contrive  to  get  you  back  your  money.     Per- 
mit me,  however,  to  recommend  you   more  caution  in  fu- 
ture, for  I  assure  you,  that  if  you  should  happen  to  fall  in 
with  my  Brighton  friend,  who  is  so  extremely  like  yourself, 
you  may  be  as  great  a  sufferer  by  his  r.-quaintance   as   1 
have  besn.** 

"I  thank  you,  sir,  for  your  good  advice,"  returned  the 
major,  not  without  some  degree  of  confusion,  "  and  when 
you  have  succeeded  in  getting  back  the  money  of  which  I 

p2 


'4 


174 


FRASCATl  S  ;    OR 


have  been  swindled,  I  shall,  then  think  your  counsel  worth 
adopting." 

"Quite  right,  major,"  said  the  baronet,  "it  will  then  be 
time  enough;"  and  taking  the  arm  of  the  phrenologist,  he 
hurried  him  out  of  the  room. 

This  sharp-shooting  at  Nimbleton  gave  me  no  slight  un- 
easiness, for  during  the  time  it  lasted  I  could  not  help  think- 
ing of  the  sum  he  had  borrowed  from  me.  Being  left  alone 
with  the  ironical  gentleman,  I  now  sought  to  learn  some- 
thing of  the  Brighton  transaction  to  which  he  had  alluded, 
and  commenced  the  conversation  by  hinting  at  tlie  charge 
made  against  Manvers. 

"Let  that  subject  rest,"  Y  replied;  "although  I  am 
fully  satisfied  that  Mr.  Manvers  has  been  sadly  traduced 
and  belied  to  the  baronet  by  that  whiskered  fellow  who 
has  just  left  the  room  with  him,  he  is  still  very  much  to 
be  blamed.  Vast  sums  of  money  have  been  squandered 
by  him  in  folly  and  extravagance ;  and  having  at  length  dried 
up  the  source  from  which  they  proceeded,  he  is  now  de- 
servedly suffering  the  penalty." 

Finding  that  the  old  gentleman  was  unwilling  to  pursue 
this  subject  further,  I  now  introduced  my  friend,  the  major, 
on  the  tapis,  declaring  at  the  same  time  that  I  suspected  him 
of  being  a  very  great  scoundrel. 

"  That  can  be  of  no  consequence  to  us,"  he  observed, 
with  a  smile  of  deep  sarcasm,  "for  we  have  too  much 
good  sense  and  knowledge  of  the  wor'd  to  think  of  lending 
him  money." 

1  made  some  silly  reply,  and  he  continued  in  the  same 
dry  manner.  "  I  have  too  high  an  opinion  of  the  discern- 
inent  of  one  who  professes  to  have  so  much  experience  of 
the  world  to  suppose  you  guilty  of  the  weakness  of  lending 
money  to  such  a  character  as  Nimbleton,  yet  I  am  inclined 
to  fear  that  some  friend  of  yours  may  not  have  been  equally 
prudent,  and  naturally  for  his  sake  you  wish  to  be  satisfied, 
in  regard  to  the  major's  solvency.     Am  I  not  right  ?" 

"  Certainly,  quite  right.  A  most  particular  friend  of 
mine  has  lent  h'm  a  sum  of  money  ;  and  fc  his  sake  I  am 


SCENES  IN   t»ARIS* 


179^ 


"  So  I  had  apprehended,"  pursued  the  ironical  ffentle- 
inan,  with  the  same  deep  sarcastic  expression.  '  D^d  the 
major  say  Oiat  he  vvould.return  it  at  a  particular  hour  on  he 
following  day  ?  Did  he  take  great  pains  to  impress  this 
aEtf  P"r^  onyourfriend^  Did  he  iorlolll 
allude  to  the  sum  borrowed  as  a  mere  bagatelle;  and  if  m  re 
money  was  produced  than  he  originally  asked  for,  dS  he 
seem  to  doubt  whether  his  first  dem'and  was  sufficiemr 
Me  did,    I  replied. 

"  Enough ;"  said  the  old  man,  "  You  will  do  well  in 
to  case,  to  .ell  your  friend  that  it  may  be  advisable! t't  o 
build  too  much  on  the  repayment  of  the  loan,  at  the  precise 
nK-ment  ijameu  by  the  major.  If,  however  you  can  pre! 
vail  on  the  gentleman  to  dispossess  himself  of  those  en- 
ormous  whiskers  for  a  little  time,  I  may  be  enabled  to  SDeak 
more  decidedly  on  the  subject.  At  prisent  I  can  ol  dL- 
cover  a  partial  resemblance  in  him  to  an  unbearded  swin^^ 
by  jhom  I  was  once  unfortunate  enough  to  be  dupTmy: 

"  Surely,"  said  I,  somewhat  alarmed  at  this  intelligence 
you  do  not  mean  to  say  that  Nimbleton  can  havf  any 
untair  motive  in  wearing  those  v^hiskers  ?"  ' 

"Oh,  by  no  means.  I  insinuate  nothing  of  the  kind 
Besides,  'tis  the  fasliion  now  to  cherish  the  growth  of  Sie 
beard.  Sometimes,  however,  it  serves  to'  disraise  one's  Z 
pearance.  Hermits  do  the  same.  They  betake  themselves 
to  beards  and  religion,  in  preference  to^^  a  halter  But  in 
regard  to  the  major,  I  am  delighted  to  find  that  L  has  no" 
succeeded  in  getting  into  debt  with  you,  althouo-h  he  h^ 
with  your  friend.  Indeed,  I  was  aware  that  you  °<»uUI  Tt 
be  such  a  simpleton  as  to  lend  a  shilling  to  a  marwhose 
^ue  character  any  blockhead  may  divine.  StiUI  feelver^ 
much  indeed  for  your  friend."  ^ 

I  did  not  much  relish  the  increasing  irony  of  the  nM 
gentleman ;  who  now  seemed  inclined,  /thou^^t,  „  Lgh 
at  me  J  and  I  was  more  annoyed  at  this  unbecoming  levhy) 


ne 


FRASCATIS;   OR 


because  there  was  no  one  else  who  could  remove  my  un- 
easiness in  regard  to  Nimbleton,  I  also  thought  it  a  great 
liberty  in  this  old  Cynic,  of  whose  family  or  pretensions  I 
knew  nothing  whatever,  to  address  himself  to  a  man  of  my 
rank  and  standing  in  society  in  so  disrespectful  a  strain. 
Leaving  the  room,  therefore,  in  a  pet,  I  hastened  to  digest 
my  annoyance  in  my  own  apartment,  and  on  the  staircase 
encountered  the  subject  of  our  conversation. 

*'  What  a  very  insolent  old  fellow  that  is  whom  you  have 
just  left!"  he  remarked. 

"  Excessively  insolent,  indeed,"  I  replied.     •*  He  affects 
to  laugh  at  all  the  world,  and  at  myself  among  the  rest." 

"  At  you  !"  exclaimed  Nimbleton.  "  Impossible  !  What 
assurance  !  if  it  really  is  the  case.  I  tell  you  what  it  is,  my 
dear  frien^',  I  strongly  suspect  that  old  man  to  be  in  league 
with  Munvers.  I  am  not  easily  deceived  in  this  sort  of 
people,  and  I  advise  you  strongly  to  be  on  your  guard  against 
him.  And  so  he  had  the  effrontery  to  laugh  at  you  ?  Who 
could  have  imagined  it !  It  is  evident  that  he  has  not  heard 
any  part  of  your  work,  or  he  would  at  once  have  perceived 
that  you  are  not  a  person  to  be  trifled  with.  By  the  by,  as 
we  are  on  that  subject,  I  may  as  well  take  the  present  op- 
portunity to  observe,  that  in  my  opinion,  you  speak  in  much 
too  modest  terms  of  yourself  throughout  the  book.  This 
is  truly  surprising,  considering  how  much  you  figure  in 
every  scene  ;  and,  on  my  honour,  I  must  say  that  you  are 
ridiculously  diffident  of  your  own  praises.  You  do  not 
render  justice  to  yourself.  But  you  must  excuse  me,  for 
here  comes  Rhymer,  who  is  eternally  boring  me  for  ad- 
vice on  some  one  subject  or  another.  Alas  !  what  a  plague 
is  a  reputation  for  judgment  and  candour  to  its  possessor ! 
Adieu,  my  dear  friend,  I  am  sorry  to  leave  you." 

I  now  repaired  to  my  own  room,  but  had  not  been  five 
minutes  seated,  when  I  heard  a  gentle  tap  at  the  door,  which 
in  the  next  instant,  in  answer  to  my  summons,  was  opened 
by  Emily,  who,  apparently  much  agitated,  said  she  wished 
to  speak  to  me  in  her  uncle's  apartments. 

I  immediately  rose  and  followed  her.    The  baronet  was 


8C£N£S   IN  PARIS. 


m 


out,  80  that  our  t^te-iMte  was  not  likeljr  to  be  disturbed, 
and  1  took  a  seat  near  her  on  the  sofa. 

with  vn!!  7^w?^*  J'^'t'"  '  ^"^"^'^^'  "  ^^^t  i«  ^^^  "^^We*- 

uXu,  {^\^}  ^^^  happened,  to  render  you  thus  uneasy  ?" 

Oh  !  Mr.  Morns,"  she  exclaimed,  » I  am  very  unhappy 

nideed,  for  my  uncle  seems  deeply  offended  with  me,  and 

yet  1  am  quite  ignorant  of  my  crime.     Never  did  he  evince 

so  much  unkmdness  towards  me,  and "     Here  her 

tears  prevented  her  further  utterance, 
w.ih  !!*'"  ^^e  ,^rong,  Emily.     Your  uncle  is  not  offended 
with  you,  and  I  am  sure  you  quite  misunderstood  him  this 
morning,  when  he  unintentionally  made  you  participate  iii 
a  harshness  that  was  intended  solely  for  another." 
^^  And  who  could  that  other  be  ?"  she  eagerly  demanded, 
wny,  my  love,  your  uncle  seems  to  have  chanffed  his 
opinion  in  regard  to  Mr.  Manvers.     Circumstances   have 
transpired    that  tend  to  throw  a  shade  over  his  character, 
or  at  least  to   place  it  in  a  doubtful  point  of  view,    and 
acqudrnc'eT'""'^  "'  ^""^"  approves  of  him  as  an 
uKnf ""  ^  had  apprehended,"  she  returned,  sighing  bitterly  ; 

of  Mr^M^nv^rs.'^""^'  ^^"  '^  "°^  "^^"^^^ "^  '''  ~  . 

Perhaps  it  was  bad  policy  on  my  part,  to  encourage  her 
n  her  partiality    by  expressing  an  opinion  different  from 

thai  f  dlrnoT^  '    '"'  '  '""^'  "^^   "''^^^^  --^"^   «^^-S 

J'Ah!"  she  resumed,  with  more  animation,  "  who  that 

has^once  beheld  those   noble  features  could   think  other- 

hJ'S^^'"  '  '"^^^r^'Pted,  taking  her  hand  and  gazing  on 
nto  Vn\  r  ^^P''^'^"  '^'''  ^"'   ^"^^"^^'^'^   ^«  soothe  her 

tou .  vi  rr*  "  ^  '"u^^^y  ^""^'  *°  ^'^'^  t'^^  ^"bject  to 
you,  yet  1  know  much. 

f,ltT   V.  "°  '"'^^y;  ''"'  '^'^'"S  a  small  ring  thai  proieci- 

fo  li  »L  h'"'""  "rJ"^"^'  "f  ^'''  '''"^'  ^vdJenly  drew  it 
"orth,  and  discovered  ihe  portrait  of  Manvers ,     She  blushed 


1 


178 


FRASCATI*s;   OR 


exceedingly,  hung  down  her  head,  and  was  silent,  until 
pained  by  her  confusion,  I  sought  to  reassure  her. 

"Emily,  my  love,"  I  said,  "do  not  agitate  yourself. 
Your  secret  has  long  been  in  my  possession,  and  I  have  re- 
spected it.  Whatever  may  be  the  opinion  of  your  uncle, 
I  still  feel  assured  that  you  can  have  no  reason  to  blush 
for  the  object  of  your  choice.  Such  a  face  as  that,"  I 
concluded,  looi^ing  at  the  faithfully  executed  portrait,  "  can- 
not be  other  than  what  it  app6ars." 

The  trembling,  yet  gratified  girl,  grasped  my  hand  fer- 
vently, and  raised  her  eyes  to  mine,  with  a  look  that  spoke 
volumes. 

"  ^ay  you  so,  Mr.  Morris  ?  Oh !  I  was  sure  that  you 
had  too  much  generosity  and  goodness  of  heart  to  think 
ill  of  him." 

"He  cannot  be  unworthy  of  you,"  I  pursued.  "My 
penetration  of  character  is  not  lo  be  deceived,  and  your 
uncle  shall  yet  be  reconciled  to  him.  But  come,  my  love, 
this  confinement  is  not  at  all  likely  to  improve  your  spi- 
rits, or  to  conii^iue  the  roses  on  your  cheek.  Put  on  your 
hat  and  shawl,  and  Jet  us  venture  into  the  Tuileries." 

Somewhat  reassured  by  my  words,  Emily  now  atempt- 
ed  to  rally ;  and  having  equipped  herself  for  a  mom'.ng 
walk,  sallied  forth  with  me  from  the  hotel. 


CHAPl ER  XXX. 


In  the  garden  we  were  accosted  by  that  eternally  teazing 
fellow  Bougie. 

"What,  in  Paris  »tiU,  my  dear  friend  !"  he  exclaimed 
^  instant  he*  saw  me, — "why,  I  understood  you  were 
off."  ^  ^    . 


SCENES  IN  PARla. 


1»9 


.ir  r  "/aSftd.'''''*-'  -0  -'-'  do  you  ™e™. 

an»S  asTjd  „:'  thaZj:' ''"'  ^'  n}"'^  ^"O^aint. 
run  away ;  and!  T^ion.  ^°     ""%  ">e  Morris  who  had 

BouS'brt  :„TapptsS  a1  Z'  /"t"'  *'«"'-' 
arewronff;  and  that  T  h.l      .        ^  ^"^^  acquaintance 

^"Va;¥{4^'''^  -^-^^^^^^^   '""  '""• 

a  number  of  persons  Vv™,?     '"'   ^"^'^  "■'"«•    indeed 
fidence,  that  thev Tad  2"  v     "i"'"^""'  "^W  me  in  con- 
shiUing  at  FrSi's      H^^™  ''"PO'^^^'eJ  of  your  last 
port  is^f^se     Indeed  feT,  •>™  ^^'^  ',"  ''"^  ""e  re- 
sake  as  for  your^."  •''-"*  *'  "'  *'  ""'=''  (<"^  "y  own 

youtkeratet.sCsther,'^''''  P""""«  '"'^'-' »» 
"  T  or«       /    wusiness,  either  m  one  wav  or  in  annthpr  ?'» 

given  rtruTpet  forth^Kod^'r;'  «°"^'"  ^^ 
ertthemselves  to  sertfa"''  Hn""°"''  V""*"  "'"y  «' 

wherein  I  have  inSted  myself  iTndii"''  If "  y" 
were  writinff  your  tour  an?  »V  i  •  """«'«'"<«'  'hat  you 
quence  in  the  eves  of  Ih/?  K^  I  wished  t,  give  it  conse^ 

to  make  up  youf^ie  bv  '^"'''' '  7 *'•  ""''  ""^M"  y- 
on  MonUeur'^pLdespui   Z  tf  ""^  ^"""f «P"o»«.  I  waited 

af«>r  some  Ii«"  S'ulty^revaludZ^^^^ 
to  your  dedicat;.i»  t'le  w„rt  ./  i-  "nl""  '"  ""^mt 
made  was  tl-^'  F  t  1,1  ^.J"*"-  '^'^^  ""'y  Proviso 
opectioran.^  I'ih,  *?.  m-u"  ^^  ^-bmitted  to  his  n" 
what  altoratLs  he  mlhtiti  fif"  r!f  5*^'*«  '^  ■""k' 
hin.  that  I  had  read  ,hfw„T,'"^  t^'"^''""-    ^  *»" 

h-ghly     That  to  be    ure  Ti  .o:-'.xactI vt/Fr^"''  °'  '' 
must  be  aware    it  <,n™,.„       ,         exactly  the  fact,  yet,  you 

Thereis„o.?me  heSfet^brf  ^'V  ''"'"'dly'^feelfng" 
dication  immediatdv  »^H       t    i   ''    .'^»">"'enee  your  dt 

-ntion  my  nalfrj;.ar.hrfa^:Vri2»„^?!!-' 


:.^ 


\'-.-,'.'-i 

.,-r-?^?;^^' 


180 


FRASCATI^S  ;    Ott 


But  I  have  not  time  to  stop.  I  am  very  bqji^  composing  a 
horn-pipe  step  for  the  Giraffe,  to  the  air  6t^^%a  Belle  Ga- 
bridle,     Bonjour^  mon  ami.'''* 

Never  did  I  feel  so  indignant  in  my  life,  as  during  this 
last  address  of  Bougie,  and  had  he  remained  a  minute  longer, 
1  verily  do  believe,  notwithstanding  the  presence  of  Emily, 
that  1  should  have  knocked  him  down.  Never  had  1  heard 
such  an  insulting  offer  of  patronage,  never  had  my  pride 
been  so  deeply  wounded,  and  I  experienced  all  that  feeling 
of  mortification  which  a  man  of  genius  must  entertain  at  the 
idea  of  being  offered  humiliating  protection  by  one  wnom 
he  would  blush  to  acknowledge  even  as  a  common  ac- 
quaintance. And  added  to  this  annoyance,  was  that  arising 
from  a  sense  of  being  insulted  by  a  superiority  assumed  in 
the  presumption  of  my  poverty. 

It  was  in  vain  that  I  sought  to  conceal  my  irritation. 
Emily,  who  had  not  been  a  little  amused  at  the  offer  of  pa- 
tronage made  by  the  dancing-master,  attempted  to  laugh  me 
out  of  my  vexation,  but  without  success,  and  we  soon  after- 
wards left  the  garden. 

On  our  return  to  the  hotel  I  met  Sir  Brien.  He  seemed 
pleased  with  my  attention  to  his  niece,  and  now,  for  the  first 
time  since  our  recent  misunderstanding,  came  up  and  spoke 
to  me. 

"Morris,  my  dear  friend!"  he  exclaimed,  taking  my 
hand,  "  I  regret  that  any  difference  should  have  arisen  be- 
tween us.  I  admit,  however,  that  you  had  every  reason  to 
feel  annoyed  at  the  conduct  of  Harriet,  and  had  1  for  a  mo- 
ment reflected  on  the  disappointment  you  must  have  expe- 
rienced, at  having  been  superseded  in  her  affections  by  ano- 
ther, I  should  not  have  betrayed  so  much  petulance  myself. 
I  can  only  asuure  you,  that  I  did  every  thing  in  my  power 
to  forward  your  suit  with  her,  and  if  she  has  been  silly 
enough  to  prefer  another  to  you,  it  has  been  no  fault  of 
mine." 

The  baroiiet's  apology  was  little  better  than  Bougie's  offer 
of  patronage :  however,  as  I  knew  it  to  be  made  in  the  true 
spirit  of  kindness,  I   contrived   to  conceal  my  vexation, 


SCEKEIS  in  PARlSi 


im 


titough  i  could  not  resist  the  temptation  of  assuring  him, 
that  he  had  pever  been  more  deceived  in  his  life,  than  when 
he  imagined  :bat  his  sister's  marriage  had  occasioned  me  the 
slightest  uneasiness. 

In  a  few  minutes  we  were  joined  in  the  drawing-room  by 
Nimbleton,  who  entered  in  great  apparent  hurry,  and  was 
exclaiming  violently  against  the  infamy  of  the  French  go- 
vernment in  tolerating  the  public  gaming  tables* 

"  I  have  this  instant,"  he  said,  "  met  with  a  young  friend, 
the  son  of  an  old  colonel  of  mine,  who  has  been  robbed  of 
his  last  sou,  and  I  am  anxious  to  send  the  unfortunate  fellow  " 
out  of  Paris.     He  has  applied  to  me  for  assistance,  and  I 
cannot  do  less  than  send  him  home,  if  it  only  be  out  of  con- 
sideration for  his  father.     However,  this  sort  of  work  will 
never  do,  I  shall  absolutely  be  made  a  bankrupt  if  I  continue 
here  much  longer,  for  every  Englishman  who  thinks  proper 
to  ruin  himself  at  play,  seeiti*  to  make  a  point  of  tinding  his 
way  to  me.     It  is  true,  I  have  made  a  thousand  resolutions 
not  to  assist  them  any  more,  yet,  how  is  it  possible  to  resist 
the  appeal  of  a  countrym?  »  in  distress  ?    I  am  sure  I  never 
can  have  the  inhumanity  to  a  v  ,< ,  therefore,  my  only  chance 
of  avoiding  ruin  is  to  leave  Pans  without  delay.     Really  this 
is  the  last  person  for  whom  I  shall  do  any  thino-of  the  kind; 
and  yet  I  do  not  well  know  how  1  sha!-.  manags  eved  his  bu- 
siness, for  I  have  just  closed  my  account  .ij^;?fitte'r,  and  am 
waiting  for  a  fresh  remittance.     Can  you  o^lig**  me.  Sir 
Brien,  with  forty  pounds  for  this  foolish  feik>w,°and  I  will 
give  you  an  order  for  that  amount  on  Cox  and  Greenwood, 
my  agents  in  London  ?     Here  is  pen,  ink,  and  paper,  and  I 
will  execute  the  draft.     A  very  excellent  fellow  Cox  is,  I 
assure  you,  and  extremely  hospitable.     He  has  often  en- 
treated me  to  spend  a  week  with  him  at  Hillington,  but  I 
never  could  find  time  to  ava'l  myself  of  the  invitation.     I  am 
positive  he  will  be  happy  to  see  you  as  a  friend  of  mine." 

Nimbleton  now  commenced  writing  the  order,  which  he 
finished  in  despite  of  the  assurance  given  him  by  the  baro- 
net, that  it  was  quite  unnecessary,  as  he  would  be  happy  to 
accommodate  him  without. 
VOL.  I.-— a 


183 


fRASCATl's  J  on 


"But  I  must  insist,  my  dear  sir,  on  your  taking  it     ToW 
Burely  would  not  have  me  guilty  of  the  kdelSa^^^^^^^^^ 
mff  even  such  a  trifle  without  giving  you  a  proper  acknow- 
ledgment for  it  ?    By  the  by/^e  llceedeT^'onto^^^^ 

?„7Ld^'f  '^^iT"**'"'  ^5"^  '  ^^''  ™«d«  it  fifty  pound! 
mstead  of  forty;  however,  if  it  is  the  same  thing  to  you,  I 

will  not  take  the  trouble  of  making  out  another.     Yes,  let  it 

be  fifty,  and  I  will  endeavour  to  send  the  fellow  home  like  a 

genUeman.  A  pretty  predicament  he  would  have  been  placed 

m,  had  I  not  chanced  to  be  in  Pjiris  at  this  moment «» 

«vl  *  T^^'l  '^''^'''^u  ^^^  F*y  P°""^«'  ^»d  in  return  handed 
over  to  the  baronet  the  order  on  his  agents.  «  And  now »» 
he  pursued,  "  I  must  be  off  in  quest  of  this  silly  youth.  By 
ntolV  t"  y«"  P'^esfnt  *he  draft  for  payment  endeavour 
to  see  Cox  himself,  and  ask  him  if  he  knows  a  queer  feUow 
of  the  name  of  Nimbleton.    I  promise  you  he  wiU  laueh 

nnrt'tf"^  ""'  '"f  J;  ^?"u*°  ^f  ^"  *'""  "«t"  y««  have  be. 
come  better  acquainted  with  each  other." 

"That  is  really  a  fine,  candid,  agreeable  man."  observed 
the  baronet  as  Nimbleton  left  the  room.  o^erved 

**  I  hope  at  least  he  is  honest,"  I  rejoined  musingly. 

"My  dear  Morris  you  astonish  me !"  exclaimed  Sir  Brien 
"How  can  you  so  express  yourself  in  regard  to  a  man  of 
Major  Nimbleton's  rank  ?" 

"  Simply  because  he  owes  me  money ;  and  it  is  but  natu- 
ral you  know  that  a  creditor  should  desire  his  debtor  may 
prove  honest.  Moreover,  my  dear  baronet,  I  am  by  no 
means  induced  to  believe  all  he  has  said  of  Manvers  " 

"Nonsense,"  interrupted  Sir  Brien.  "  Manvers  is  un- 
questionably a  dangerous  young  man,  and  his  frank  appear- 
ance  only  serves  as  a  cloak  to  a  vicious  and  unprincipled 
mmd.  Do  not  suffer  yourself,  my  dear  fnend,  to  be  im- 
posed  on,  and  take  the  judgment  of  one  who  has  had  more 
expenence  m  the  world  than  yourself.  Manvers  is,  I  fear, 
a  bad  character,  and  I  am  not  at  all  sorry  that  I  have  discon' 
tmued  his  acquaintance." 

"  Be  it  so,"  I  replied ;  "yet  a  further  trial  of  his  charac- 
ter as  well  as  that  of  Nimbleton  can  alone  determine  who  of 


SCENES   IN  PARIS. 


183 


IB  possesses  the  greatest  share  of  discrimination  and  know- 
ledge  of  the  world.  If  I  am  wr.  .;,  I  shall  only  be  six  or 
seven  hundred  francs  richer  than  I  expect;  that  is  the  sole 
difference  his  honesty  or  dishonesty  can  make  with  me." 

*'  There  can  be  no  trial  whatever  wanting  in  the  business," 
replied  the  baronet,  "for  positive  I  am  that  I  cannot  be 
deceived,  although  to  confess  the  truth  I  wish  that  such 
miprht  be  the  case.  There  was  something  about  Manvers 
that  1  liked  exceedingly,  and  although  perfectly  satisfied 
that  all  1  had  heard  of  him  was  true,  it  was  not  without  a 
pang  that  I  expressed  myself  as  I  did.  It  pained  me  to  see 
a  youth  of  his  handsome  figure  and  prepossessing  counte- 
nance so  utteriy  lost  to  every  sense  of  what  is  honourable 
and  just,  as  Nimbleton  has  declared  him  to  be.  It  is  a  mat- 
ter of  indifference  to  me,  or  rather  I  never  feel  anv  thinff 
like  compassion,  when  I  see  villainy  coupled  with  deformity ; 
but  to  behold  a  young  man  like  Manvers  with  a  soul  so  de- 
based, does,  I  confess,  shock  me  exceedingly." 

With  this  admission  of  Sir  Brien  I  was  secretly  pleased ; 
for  satisfied  within  my  own  mind  that  the  character  of  Man- 
vers had  been  traduced,  I  foresaw  no  great  difficulty  in  re- 
moving the  prejudice  which  he  yet  entertained,  whenever 
an  opportunity  should  offer  for  proving  the  innocence  of 
the  calumniated  young  man. 

On  leaving  the  baronet,  I  again  encountered  Nimbleton 
on  the  staircase.  «  Well  my  dear  fellow,  I  am  happy  to 
say  I  have  arranged  that  business,  and  every  thing  is  settled 
lor  the  departure  of  my  young  friend." 

"  Why,  major,"  I  replied,  "  I  should  scarcely  have  sup- 
posed that  you  could  have  had  time  yet  to  leave  the  hotel, 
much  less  to  have  taken  the  steps  necessary  to  secure  his 
departure.     Your  despatch  is  really  wonderful." 

"  True,"  returned  Nimbleton,  "but  when  1  espouse  the 
mterest  of  a  friend,  I  enter  into  it  heart  and  soul.  I  hate 
your  ukewarm  sort  of  people,  who  only  confer  obligations 
by  halves,  and  have  ever  been  remarkable  myself  for  a  con- 
trary conduct.  But,  apropos,  I  felt  rather  uneasy  just  now 
W  seeing  Sir  Bnen  and  you  conversing  so  seriously  together, 


5  '*'»J 

m 


184 


FRASCATl^S;    OR 


I  hope  it  was  not  in  relation  to  what  we  were  talking  abou»» 
yesterday,  because,  to  confess  the  truth,  liowever  much  2 
may  hlce  Emily,  I  am  not  exactly  a  marrying  man.  Yet 
do  not  say  so  to  Sir  Brian,  for  I  have  not  quite  made  up  my 
mind  on  the  subject.  By  the  by,  I  should  like  much  .a 
hear  what  you  have  written  of  yonr  tour  since  you  last 
Wad  it  to  me.  Tiiere  is  a  charm  about  your  compositions 
that  absolutely  fascinates  me,  and  1  must  positively  beg  that 
you  will  not  be  idle.  The  dewcacy  of  your  sati'^e  is  really 
wonderful,  and  you  should  lost  no  opportunity  lor  increas- 
ing it.  There  is  Rhymer  for  instance,  one  of  the  finest 
characters  in  the  world  for  your  pen.  He  has  foibles  and 
absurdities  without  number,  and  if  you  do  not  make  the 
most  of  them,  it  must  be  from  sheer  idleness,  and  not  from 
want  of  ability." 

Here  the  major  much  to  my  astonishment,  now  abruptly 
left  me,  without  pressing  further  the  perusal  of  my  manu- 
script. This  I  confess  so  annoyed  me  that  I  was  on  the  point 
of  following  to  ask  hir  ''/-r  my  money,  when  he  suddenly 
turned  back  and  reque  that  I  vi^ould  lend  him  five  Na- 
poleons, adding,  that  hw  i»  mid  return  the  whole  amount  of 
his  debt  to  me  on  the  following  morning. 

So  confounded  was  1  by  the  impudence  of  his  demand, 
that  without  being  perfectly  conscious  of  what  I  was  domg, 
and  by  an  almost,  mechanical  impulse  I  drew  forth  my 
purse  and  handed  him  the  money.  Nor  was  it  until  he 
had  safely  deposited  it  in  his  waistcoat  pocket,  that  1  had 
presence  of  mind  sufficient  to  observe, — 

"  But  how  can  you  possibly  return  it  to  me  to-morrow  ? 
I  thought  you  stated  to  Sir  Brien  just  now  that  you  had 
closed  your  account  for  the  present  at  Lafitte's?'* 

"  Well  what  a  stupid  fellow  to  be  sure !"  returned  the  ma- 
jor with  well  affected  surprise.  "How  could  I  have  been 
so  thouglitless  as  to  promise  anything  of  the  kind,  when, 
as  you  justly  observe,  I  cannot  touch  a  shilling  at  Lafitte's 
until  my  remittance  arrives.  However,  we  will  arrange 
the  matter  in  this  way : — I  will,  if  you  like,  give  you  an 
order  on  Greenwood  aujd  Cpx,  jjnd  ^s  the  suwi  is  nn  WBevsU 


JS.'=- 


•OBlfI'9  XN  PARIS.  I 

one,  we  can  easily  nrnke  it  up  bj  your  giving  me  the    a. 
lance  of  some  two  or  tli    <^  Louis  and  a  few  odd  francs. 

"I  beg  yt  will  not  name  it,"  I  replied  eagerly ;  **  your 
word  18  qi.ite  sufl  "i  nt  for  ne,  since  I  think  I  may  depend 
U3  safely  upon  that  as  upon  /our  order." 

The  fact  was  1  had  recovered  from  my  surprise,  and  now 

bitterl>  repented  having  given  him  the  five  Lr  lis.     A.s  for 

his  order  on  Gretawood,  I  did  not  think  it  worth  a    fraw, 

id  I  wa«  resolv'Hl  at  least  not  to  be  swindled  c"t    ,r    n.. 

other  franc. 

"  Well,"  muttered  the  major, "  extraordinary  c  that 

you  should  refuse  an  order  on  my  old  friend,  He 

would  not  feel    ' 'ttered  if  he  knew  it.     Howevt.,   f' have 
made    ou  the  offer,  and  should  any  accident  occur'to  me  in 

81     ultimo,  you  can  only  blame  yourself."     And  so  sav- 
ing he  finally  left  m<  ^ 
Let  the  money  f        said  I,  making  up  my  mind  to  the 
osp     "However  I  will  venture  a  few  Napoleons  this  morn- 
mg  at  Frascati  s,  and  if  I  am  so  fortunate  as  to  win  the 
amount  of  what  I  have  lent  him,  I  shall  be  perfectly  satis- 


CHAPTEIl  XXXL 


Almost  the  first  person  I  met,  on  entering  Frascati*s,  was 
the  Count  Le  Rapp.  I  confess  I  was  somewhat  surprised, 
for  considering  the  recent  date  of  his  marriage,  it  appeared 
to  me  that  his  visits  to  the  gaming  table  might  yet  have  been 
postponed  a  little  longer,  A  large  quantity  of  notes  and 
gold  was  lying  before  him  on  the  table,  and  from  his  very 
spirited  backing  of  the  colour,  I  thought  there  was  some 
probability  of  Madame  La  Comtesse  yet  returning  home  to 

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'^^ 


186 


TIU8CATI*S;  oil 


Jnact  ^e  houseTteeper  for  her  brother.  In  the  cotitae  of  a 
few  minutes  I  lost  all  the  money  with  which  I  had  purposed 
to  regain  the  amount  of  my  loan  to  Nimbleton,  and  vexed 
and  imtated  beyond  measure,  I  threw  myself  doggedly  on 
a  sofa,  at  one  extremity  of  the  room.  Soon  afterwards  Le 
Kapp  left  his  seat,  and  perceiving  me,  for  the  first  time  since 
my  entrance,  came  up  with  an  cir  of  great  cordiality  and 
frankness  to  salute  me.  ^ 

«*  How  is  it,  my  dear  sir,  that  you  n^ver  call  ?»*  he  de- 
manded. "  I  am  sure  the  countess  will  be  delighted  to  see 
you,  and  for  my  part,  I  can  only  assure  you,  that  nothine 
could  afford  me  greater  pleasure." 

»  w^^f,^^  \  ™°''®  ^'sposed  to  be  peevish  and  ill-natured. 
Why  my  dear  count,  *'  I  am  sure  I  have  only  to  visit 
Frascati  s  every  day,  to  have  the  pleasure  of  meeting  yon, 
and  as  for  the  countess,  I  dare  say  it  will  not  be  v^iy  W 
before  we  meet  again  in  Connaught     I  presume  Oie  ai? 

h  wiU  r^  °°'  *^*  ^^^^  ''®'  ''^^  ^°"^-  ^"^  y°"  ^^ 
« I  fear  not,"  said  the  count.  «  She  is  extremery  deU- 
cate,  mdeed,  and  talks  of  returning  to  Ireland  for  some 
tune.  Nothing  would  have  delighted  me  so  much  as  to 
nave  been  enabled  to  accompany  her;  but  unfortunately, 
you  know  I  am  attached  to  the  Russian  embassy,  and  must 
leave  Pans  for  St.  Petersburg,  very  shortly.  I  wished  her 
much  to  go  with  me ;  but  she  dreads  the  climate,  and  in- 
deed, from  what  I  know  of  it  myself,  I  do  not  like  to  press 
toe  question.  Her  intention,  therefore,  is  I  believe,  to  re- 
turn  to  Ireland  with  her  brother.  Her  native  air  may  be  of 
service  to  her.     Do  you  not  think  so  ?" 

r.11  Y/^^  S'*"^'  ™^  ^^^^  '^**"^*»  I  ^®el  myself  quite  incom- 
petent to  offer  an  opinion,  as  I  am  not  precisely  acquainted 

r[  vnn  /  *?l'"P^^*"'-n  f^^^^e''*  **  «»ust  be  Very  distressing 
Sh^t?.  compelled  to  separate  yourself  from  a  womaS 
wnom  the  most  disinterested  attachment  alone  induced  you  to 
mamr.  And  by  the  by,  I  must  take  the  present  opportunity 
ofdoing  away  with  an  error,  into  which  I  unintentionaUy  led 
^»o,  on  the  morning  when  you  were  pleased  to  consult  me 


ntse  of  t 
purpost^ 
id  ve\td 
gedly  Oil 
vards  Le 
me  since 
ality  and 

*  he  de* 
ed  to  see 
I  nothing 

-natared. 
7  to  visit 
iingf  you, 
^ry  long 
i  the  air 
ou  think 

lefy  deli- 
ror  some 
ih  as  to 
tunately, 
ind  must 
shed  her 
and  in- 
to press 
e,  to  re- 
lay be  of 

5  incom- 
quainted 
itressing 
woman 
id  you  to 
ortunity 
nallyled 
isult  me 


ftou«M«»  pound* IB  Ser  ow^tigl.t..  It^ra  *S.     n 
^r.  that  h*Vthw  need  „S  ^ft  heT^shiZf  uilei 

was  Bfteen  «mdred  prttfnds,  wHich  I  iiWirecr^L,  tW 
»iii.L   f    •      -'    ,P!"""»g  «o  *e  table.     "  U  was  a  sad 

in~ 'ft./^'^'™  "^y""  /^''  «'>e™.''t  can  Be  of  no  imDOrt. 
wiinoat  a  sntlhn^.     Adieu,  chant,  I  fear  rmust  Imv»  J^, 
my rtgards  to-madanife,  and  accent  mv-tin^..,  „  •  i      r 

'"'.iW'W'^r  i».r«y ««  rS"^  '""•''"'•  ""'''^''  '^' 

slfonglrd^^ctkn-'lSl^f  "PP"'"'™''«  »■"•  despair  «, 
l^  A  _   "'P'J"*?  *""  fhe  human  countenance,  as  on  thai  M 

latinff  m voir  «»  .i,«  "!  '*■''•     '  ""  J"s»  coneratu- 

»h»  KJdenlv  .fr't?'  ofo^^^mg  unnoticed  by^im, 
iiidl2.„     •  •      5^    .    "•*"  g'ai'ce  across  the  Boulevanl 
»A  "cog,«z.„g,   without  difficulty,   „y  Jf  "7'^;^; 


188 


VRABojffVa;  Oft. 


form,  was  in  an  instant  at  my  45ide.  His  mii\d  «ud  imagi- 
nation seemed  so  full  of  sojne  absorbing-  subject,  that  he 
even  neglected  the  common  forms  of  salutation,  and  liearly 
pulling  off  his  pocket  in  his  anxiety  td  gjst  at  something,  at 
length  produced  a  greasy  newspaper,  which  bore  the  im- 
press of  at  le^st  twenty  different  thumbs.      '  > 

**  Look  here,"  said  he,  eagerly  unfolding  it,  said  pointing 
to  a  particular  part ;  "  I  always  said  he  was  an  audacious 
hypocrite.  I  knew  he  was  a  villain.  What  effrontery  to 
be  sure,  to  enter  thus  burglariously  into  a  lady's  chamber, 
and " 

"  What  mean  you  ?"  I  asked,  takingthe  paper-out  of  his 
hand.     ♦«  And  S^rhat -hypocrite,  what  villain  do  yoo  allude 

"  Read  yourself !"  exclaimed  Bougie,  nearly  frantic  With 
joy.  "  Read,  read,  and  judge  ifj  wa»-ijot  right.  '  1  hope 
the  savage  will  be  guillotined.  Bo  you-  not  think  the,  at- 
tempt to  murder  may  be  easily  proved  ?  At  ledfe\,  they  can- 
notdo  less  than  send  him  to  the  galldys.  JimJ^c^,  they  may 
make  out  a  charge  of  high  treason  if  they  plioose  ;  for  the 
king,  when  he  heard  it,  absolutely  fainted,  and  the  Duehess 
D'Angouleme  was  borne  to  her  apartment  in  strong  c^vvul- 
sions."  •'*  '    ^,  • 

During  this  rhapsody  of  the  dancing-  mJlster,  a  numbei^tf 
persons  had  collected  around  us,  and  hearing  the  ii?m^js  of 
the  king  and  the  Duchess  l^'AngouJfime  coupled  with  the 
guillotine,  which  were  the  only  woids  ihat  were  at  all  intel- 
ligible to  them,  looked  at  us,  I  thought,  as  if  they  believed 
wte  were  concocting  treason.  The  sight  of  this  crowd  at- 
tracted the  attention  of  several  of  the  gendarmerie^  then  on 
duty  at  the  bureau  of  the  Minister  of  the  Interior  on  the 
Boulevard,  and  they  now  advanced  to  see  what  was  the 
matter.  Meanwhile,  I  read  from  the  paper  Bougie  had 
given  me  the  following  account,  under  the  head  of 


(( 


RELIGIOUS  PERSECUTION. 


*^*  A  most  alarming  case  of  this  kind  is  now  before  the 
police,  and  as  it  has  e:ccited  much  interest  and  inquiry,  w« 


,4^,v> 


this  eifebrated^m^m^M^  ^^.„. 

^S  ?hiaubS2rd'7    f"!"*^^^^^^^  VaB««fe«  minister* 

ThisfiotnVidtiaf  wa6,ia  the  act  of  piintinff  to  her  iirtPrr?^: 

S?Z:"?T''"  «"»•«'<' between  the  mhus-iZ?  .he  rivd 
religions,  in  the  course  of  which.  werom-M  in  ....«  .L    11 

meU;oSThf.'il    '"'••  '^'1"'*  <"""^"'"  "f  'he  enthusialtie 
meuodist,   hat  it  required  the  united  efforts  of  the  whole  of 

«d  tZ     "t'-  '"f  '**!"'  of  'he  ^«rf«mene.  J  secure 

ShrL?rr„s*;edr-  ^--^'^  ^^p^"*-'^ 

Sted  a.  h.  T^  ""  '-S?.','  •'««'  "f  «hich  was  deepl^ 
for  „hi  I  L    .""e'hgence.     With  that  humanity  and  piety 

.1™.^  ^l",""",'"^''''''''  he  has  ordered  a  Juarf  toS 
futa™  f«  *'  *""*'; '"  '^"  •"  P«"ee'  'he  lady  from  anr 
fclun.  ««o,«,oa  on  the  part  of  these  methodist  /ormowto^ 


;oo 


FSAtCATl's;  OR  fiCXlfll  Of  PAftli. 


U  It,  we  aak,  in  the  nmetemith  century,  under  the  toveni- 
inent  of  the  charter,  m  the  very  teeth  of  the  wisest  and  most 
tolCTant  of  princes,  in  the  land  of  the  nobje  Henri  Quatie  ;— 
IS  It,  m  short,  in  France,  the  school  of  tolerance,  gaUantry, 

and  philosophy,  that  this  has  occurred  ? " 

The  article  ran  pn  in  a  simUar  strain;  but  the  impatience 
..  ^P  was  such,  that  he  did  not  give  me  time  to  finish  it. 
Ihat  IS  the  fellow,"  he  excraimed,  taking  the  paper 
irom  me,  and  thpistingf  it  once  more  into  the  bottom  of  his 
pocket,  «  who^traveUed  with  us  in  the  diUgence  from  Boa- 
logne.  He  will  find  things  very  diflerent  though,  in  my 
country.  We  are  all  philosophers  here,  and  will  not  sufier 
any  ot  your  canting  nonsense  among  us.  Liberty,  sir,  liberty 
IS  our  pride.  I U  see  if  I  cannot  make  interest  with  Mon- 
sieur Pasdeseul  to  have  him  guUlotined.  Apropos,  do  not 
forget  your  dedication.     Bon  jour,** 

So  saying.  Bougie  moved  nimbly  off,  to  avoid  the  ^endar- 
mene,  who,  having  informed  themselves  of  the  particulars, 
were  approaching  somewhat  nearer  to  his  person  than  he 
thought  altogether  desirable,  while  I,  fortunately  seemg  our 
ambassador  passing  at  the  moment  in  his  carriage  alonff  the 
Boulevard,  went  up  and  paid  my  respects  to  his  excellency, 
ims  manoeuvre  completely  succeeded  ;  for  the  police,  who 
naaseenmein  earnest  conversation  with  Bougie,  would  cer- 
tainly have  secured  me  as  ^particeps  cnminis  in  the  sup- 
posed treason,  but  for  the  cordial  terms  on  which  I  appeared 
to  be  with  the  ambassador.  It  was  now  clear  to  them  that  I 
WM  a  man  of  some  consequence,  and  as  the  intimate  friend 
ot  the  representative  of  the  British  sovereign,  one  little  likely 
to  be  engaged  in  any  plot  against  the  interests  of  the  reign^ 
mg  family  of  France.  They,  therefore,  returned  to  the 
corps  de  garde,  and  I,  after  making  the  circuit  of  the  Boule- 
vard as  far  as  the  place  Louis  Seize,  regained  my  hotel  with- 
put  further  dread  of  molestation. 


BNP  OF  VOL  I. 


joveiu* 
dmost 
iti?i— 
lantry, 

alienee 
nishit. 
paper 
of  his 
n  Ben- 
in my 
t  suffer 
liberty 
1  Mou- 
do  not 

'endar- 
Lculars, 
han  he 
ing  our 
>ng  the 
Ueney. 
e,  T^^ho 
jld  eer- 
ie sup- 
»peared 
1  that  I 
!  friend 
!  likely 
>  reign- 
to  the 
Doule- 
il  with- 


